The 10 Best Shakespeare quotations, and when to use them.

March 18, 2015

• A Levels

April 23^rd marks Shakespeare day, a day when we can take time to remember and appreciate the contribution and influence the works of William Shakespeare had on English Literature. To celebrate this we are going to list our top ten fun Shakespeare quotations and suggest when you should use them in your day to day life! If you’re feeling brainy see if you can identify where each quotation is from! Answers are at the bottom!

1. ‘The course of true love never did run smooth’

When to use: This is the perfect phrase when you’re trying to comfort your friend after an argument with their boyfriend or girlfriend. It will make you sound particularly wise are philosophical. Also good for when you forget your anniversary!

2. ‘Nothing will come of Nothing’

When to use: This is a phrase which should be (and probably is) on a motivational poster. Use this whenever you’re scared to attempt something different or to face your fears.

3. ‘My tongue will tell the anger of my heart, or else my heart concealing it will break’

When to use: This one is great if you want to be angry at someone in a very poetic manner.

4. ‘Methink’st thou art a general offence and everyman should beat thee’

When to use: Shakespeare’s plays are full of amazingly vivid insults, this is one of the more polite examples! Use this if the quotation above doesn’t stun your opponent into awed silence, then walk out of the room in a dignified manner. Debate won.

5. ‘I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it’

When to use: Use this phrase quietly to yourself when you are entering a beautiful old library, packed to the gunnels with fabulous books which you can’t wait to read. Or say it slightly louder to impress other readers with your Shakespeare knowledge.

6. ‘Why, then the world’s mine oyster’

When to use: Use this when you receive your wonderful exam results and can go on to do whatever is your heart’s desire after working hard!

7. ‘He hath eaten me out of house and home’

When to use: This phrase is rather self-explanatory but could be said in accusatory tones to blame someone else for eating the last slice of cake when it was, in fact, you.

8. ‘Friends, Romans, Country men, lend me your ears…’

When to use: At the beginning of any speech in which you want to impress. Comic effect is increased if those you are addressing are neither your country men, nor Romans, nor, indeed, your friends. If they are not your friends you may want to watch your back…

9. ‘What’s done is done’

When to use: To be shouted quickly over your shoulder as you rapidly leave the room in which you broke an expensive object.

1. ‘The game is up!’

When to use: Shakespeare is well-known as the creator of many of the clichés we still use today. This one can be used in many situations, preferably as you’re catching a criminal red-handed. However, other options are as you catch your brother stealing from the biscuit tin or, less inventively, at the end of a football match.

Did you get them all right? If you did pat yourself on the back, you’re a real Shakespeare scholar!

1. Midsummers Night’s Dream 2. King Lear 3. The Taming of the Shrew 4. All’s Well That Ends Well 5. All’s Well That Ends Well 6. The Merry Wives of Windsor 7. King Henry IV, Part II 8. Julius Caesar 9. Macbeth 10. Cymbeline

What is your favourite Shakespeare quote and why? Let us know at Kings Tutors.