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"There might you have beheld one joy crown another, so and in such manner that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them, for their joy waded in tears."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. 3rd Gentleman, in The Winter's Tale, act 5, sc. 2, l. 43-6.
On the reconciliation of Leontes and Polixenes. |
"In sooth, I know not why I am so sad."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Antonio, in The Merchant of Venice, act 1, sc. 1, l. 1.
The opening line of this comedy; "sooth" means truth. |
"An habitation giddy and unsure
Hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Archbishop of York, in Henry IV, Part 2, act 1, sc. 3, l. 89-90.
Complaining that the common people cannot be relied on. |
"Weariness
Can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth
Finds the down pillow hard."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Belarius, in Cymbeline, act 3, sc. 6, l. 33-5.
"Resty" means lazy, indolent. |
"The wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Brabanzio, in Othello, act 1, sc. 2. |
"Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me,
And we, like friends, will straightway go together."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Caesar, in Julius Caesar, act 2, sc. 2, l. 126-7. |
"Of your philosophy you make no use
If you give place to accidental evils."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Cassius, in Julius Caesar, act 4, sc. 3, l. 145-6.
To Brutus; "give place to accidental evils" means are upset by troubles caused by chance. |
"Bow, stubborn knees, and heart, with strings of steel,
Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe!"
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Claudius, in Hamlet, act 3, sc. 3, l. 70-1.
Trying to pray for forgiveness for his murder of his brother. |
"What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Cordelia, in King Lear, act 1, sc. 1, l. 62.
On being asked to spell out how much she loves her father. |
"When wilt thou leave fighting o' days and foining o' nights, and begin to patch up thine old body for heaven?"
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Doll Tearsheet, in Henry IV, Part 2, act 2, sc. 4, l. 231-3.
To Falstaff, who has just driven Ancient Pistol out of doors; "foining" means fornicating. |
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William Shakespeare
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