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"Men must learn now with pity to dispense,
For policy sits above conscience."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. 1st Stranger, in Timon of Athens, act 3, sc. 2, l. 86-7.
Commenting on the refusal of Timon's friends to help him. |
"I have heard, but not believed, the spirits o'the dead
May walk again."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Antigonus, in The Winter's Tale, act 3, sc. 3, l. 16-17.
After dreaming that he saw Hermione, whom he believes to be dead. |
"Over thy wounds now do I prophesy
...
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men,
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Antony, in Julius Caesar, act 3, sc. 1, l. 259, 262-4.
The wounds are those of the assassinated Julius Caesar. |
"I have a good eye, uncle; I can see a church by daylight."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Beatrice, in Much Ado About Nothing, act 2, sc. 1, l. 82-3.
On her clearsighted view of marriage. |
"Truly, a peck of provender, I could munch your good dry oats. Methinks I have a great desire to a bottle of hay. Good hay, sweet hay hath no fellow."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Bottom, in A Midsummer Night's Dream, act 4, sc. 1, l. 31-4.
Bottom when transformed into an ass; a "bottle" is a truss. |
"Be not easily won to our requests;
Play the maid's part: still answer nay, and take it."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Buckingham, in Richard III, act 3, sc. 7, l. 51.
Advising Richard on how to behave when he is offered the crown; it was proverbial that maids said no when they meant yes. |
"Cassius. I did not think you could have been so angry.
Brutus. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Cassius and Brutus, in Julius Caesar, act 4, sc. 3, l. 143-4. |
"Death is a fearful thing."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Claudio, in Measure for Measure, act 3, sc. 1, l. 115.
He is in prison, and sentenced to death. |
"A whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure.... When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha?"
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Cloten, in Cymbeline, act 2, sc. 1. |
"Dogberry. Are you good men and true?
Verges. Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation, body and soul."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Dogberry and Verges, in Much Ado About Nothing, act 3, sc. 3, l. 1-3.
Possibly the earliest comic policemen addressing the watchmen; Verges means to say "damnation." |
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William Shakespeare
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