William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English poet and playwright. The “Bard of Avon” is widely regarded as the best English language writer ever, unrivaled in widespread and critical acclaim. Shakespeare’s greatness lies not only in the impressive range and the virtuosity of his literary output but also in the power he offered readers to uncover themselves in the mirror of his literature.
Not many particulars of Shakespeare’s life are documented, except for a few scanty records that fix his birth, marriage, the baptism of his three children, and his brilliant success as a playwright and an actor. There is much speculation about many aspects of Shakespeare’s life, including the authorship and chronology of his works, his physical appearance, and his religious affiliation. All this ambiguity about Shakespeare’s life and creative development has factored into his legend as an inborn artist rather than an intentional dramatist. Innumerable literary scholars and historians have dedicated their careers not only to throw light on the mystery of Shakespeare, but also to investigate for probable alternative authors to his works—the education, life, and literary output of Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, and other authors of that age appear a better fit to explain Shakespeare’s genius.
Shakespeare produced most of his famous works, viz., Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and others, between the ages of 25 and 49. His authorship consists of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays, divided equally among tragedies, comedies, histories, and romance, explore the subtlety of behavior and the psychology of the human experience.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William Shakespeare
Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Faces, Face
By the apostle Paul, shadows tonight Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Soldiers
Take all the swift advantage of the hours.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Opportunity
I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Argument
Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Risk, Boldness
If reasons were as plenty as blackberries I would give no man a reason upon compulsion.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Reason
The man was noble; but with his last attempt he wiped it out; betrayed his country; and his name remains to the ensuing age abhorred.
—William Shakespeare
the spring, the summer,
The chilling autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries; and the mazed world
By their increase, now knows not which is which.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Achievement, Doing Your Best, Weather, Satisfaction
Men, at some time, are masters of their fates.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Self-reliance, Confidence, Master, Success
Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Honesty, Chance
Conscience doth make cowards of us all.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Conscience
Affliction is enamoured of thy parts, and thou art wedded to calamity.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Fortune, Misfortunes
I do know of those that therefore only are reputed wise, for saying nothing.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Silence
For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright, who art as black as hell, as dark as night.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Deception, Deception/Lying
I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Grief
These blessed candles of the night.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Night
Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Insanity
We, ignorant of ourselves, beg often our own harms, which the wise powers deny us for our good; so we find profit by losing of our prayers.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Blessings, Prayer
Experience is a jewel, and it had need be so, for it is often purchased at an infinite rate.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Experience
Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Morals
Wishers were ever fools
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Wishes, One liners
As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; They kill us for their sport.
—William Shakespeare
What fate imposes, men must needs abide; it boots not to resist both wind and tide.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Fate, Necessity
Then is it sin to rush into the secret house of death. Ere death dare come to us?
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Suicide
Nothing can seem foul to those who win.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Winners, Winning, Success
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Help, Cooperation, Society
My grief lies all within, And these external manners of lament Are merely shadows to the unseen grief That swells with silence in the tortured soul
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Grief
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: words, without thoughts, never to heaven go.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Prayer
Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude.—Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, thou dost not bite so nigh, as benefits forgot.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Ingratitude, Thankfulness
Fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Fear
It is one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Temptation
Rumor is a pipe blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures, and of so easy and plain a stop, that the blunt monster with uncounted heads, the still discordant wavering multitude can play upon it.
—William Shakespeare
Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Luxury
To be or not to be that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing them, end them. Hamlet
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Questions
But, good my brother, do not, as some ungracious pastors do. Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven whilst like a puffed and reckless libertine himself the primrose path of dalliance treads and wrecks not his own.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Evangelism, Preaching
The fashion doth wear out more apparel the man.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Fashion
In thy face I see the map of honor, truth, and loyalty.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Face
If I lose my honor, I lose myself.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Character
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, but not expressed in fancy; rich, but not gaudy, for the apparel oft proclaims the man.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Fashion, Dress
Nature does require
Her time of preservation, which perforce
I her frail son amongst my brethren mortal
Must give my attendance to.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Health
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