William Shakespeare's Birth Anniversary Special: Top Shakespeare Quotes to Remember the English Poet
Generations have grown up reading Shakespeare’s vast work in literature including tragedies such as Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello or comedies such as Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night's Dream among many of his finest of works in the English language.
William Shakespeare, one of the greatest English poet and dramatist was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, London. Historians believe Shakespeare's death anniversary also falls on the same date after he died in 1616. His immense contribution to the world of literature remains unparalleled to the date. Generations have grown up reading Shakespeare’s vast work in literature including tragedies such as Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello or comedies such as Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night's Dream among many of his finest of works in the English language. Such is his legacy that phrases and lines from Shakespeare’s plays are still used in colloquial and everyday conversations. In honour of William Shakespeare's 454th birth anniversary, we take a look at the top Shakespeare quotes to remember the greatest playwright in the history of English literature.
1. To be, or not to be, that is the question
This widely famous quote by William Shakespeare is from his play Hamlet. It is the opening phrase of soliloquy spoken by Prince Hamlet in the Act III, Scene I. In this scene, the central character is contemplating suicide to bring an end to the painful miseries of life. However, Hamlet is unsure of what afterlife holds for one, so it is better to “bear those ills we have.”
2. Et tu, Brute?
This is a Latin phrase meaning “Even you, Brutus?” It was uttered by Roman dictator Julius Caesar to his friend and confidante Marcus Brutus during the infamous Caesar assassination carried out by a group of senators. The phrase is used to express shock and dismay at the treachery shown on part of a trusted friend. There are no historic evidences whether Caesar had indeed said these words at the time of his death but in Shakespeare’s tragedy it is Act III, Scene I with Brutus stabbing Caesar - Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.
3. That which we call a rose would by any other name smell as sweet
In Act II, Scene II of William Shakespeare's play about "star-cross'd" lovers Romeo and Juliet, leading lady Juliet Capulet pursues Romeo Montague that name does not make any difference to the person’s character. The two belong to rival families but Juliet is convincing Romeo saying that it does not matter what something is called but what it is.
4. If music be the food of love, play on
The first line of Shakespearean comedy Twelfth Night is - If music be the food of love, play on. The full context of the quote was: "If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die." The speaker Duke Orsino is a melancholic lover madly in love with Lady Olivia who does not reciprocate his love as she is mourning the death of her brother. Orsino wants to enjoy excess of music because it is the food of love and hopes the appetite will eventually go away.
5. This above all: to thine own self be true
Self-absorbed, rambling and almost embarrassing Polonius says these lines to his son Laertes who is departing for Paris in the play Hamlet. The Danish Lord’s words basically means to be true to himself. The entire context is, ““This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
6. The lady doth protest too much, methinks
Another memorable line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet is - The lady doth protest too much, methinks. It is said by Queen Gertrude to the Player Queen, a character portraying her in the play Murder of Gonzago within play directed by Prince Hamlet to showcase his uncle Claudius’ guilt in the murder of his father. Gertrude’s icy cold response comes to Player Queen’s use of flowery language in taking vows of never remarrying and excessive love. According to the Urban Dictionary, the modern-day usage of the phrase is, “when somebody keeps denying something to the point where you start to think they actually did it.”
‘Now is the winter of our discontent’ from Richard III reportedly written in 1593 is also famous addition to the best Shakespeare quotes. ‘Beware the Ides of March,’ mentioned in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, 1601. It corresponds to the soothsayer's message to Julius Caesar, warning of his impending assassination and death. ‘Brevity is the soul of wit’ is said by Polonius in Hamlet Act II, Scene II.
The tenth best quote from William Shakespeare’s tons of literary work is ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’. This impactful line is from Romeo and Juliet where latter is saying good night to her lover. The complete context is, “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I'll say good night until tonight becomes tomorrow.” Indeed there can be no Shakespeare and his work continue to remain the most cherished, invaluable literary treasures.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2018 06:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).