William Shakespeare is considered to be one of, if not the, most important English-language writers of all time. He crafted some of the best plays and poems that are continually read throughout the world. He is commonly quoted and cited for his beautiful and unique use of the English language. Explore his quotes below and discover William Shakespeare’s poetry.
a
- A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!“A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!” is a well-known Shakespearean quote that appears in Richard III. It consists of Richard III’s last words at the end of Act V Scene 4.
- A man can die but once“A man can die but once” appears in William Shakespeare’s history play Henry IV Part 2. It is used in Act III, Scene 2.
- A rose by any other name would smell as sweet“What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is a famous quote from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. It speaks to the power, or lack thereof, of names.
- All that glisters is not gold“All that glisters is not gold” is a quote that originated in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. It is commonly used today with the word “glitter” instead of “glisters.”
b
- Beware the ides of March“Beware the ides of March” is a quote that can be found in William Shakespeare’s history play, Julius Caesar. It refers to the day that Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.
- Brevity is the soul of wit“Brevity is the soul of wit” is one of William Shakespeare’s better-known quotes. The Bard used it in the tragedy Hamlet, written around 1603.
c
- Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once” is a quote used in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, in Act II, Scene 2.
- Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war“Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war” is a quote William Shakespeare used in Act III, Scene 1 of Julius Caesar, his most commonly read history play.
d
- Discretion Is The Better Part Of Valor“The better part of valor is discretion” is a well-known quote from William Shakespeare's history play Henry IV Part 1.
f
- Frailty, thy name is woman“Frailty, thy name is woman” is a well-known line from Hamlet’s first soliloquy in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It appears in Act I, Scene 2.
- Friends, Romans, countrymen“Friends, Romans, countrymen” is a quote William Shakespeare used in Act III, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, his most commonly read history play.
- Full fathom five thy father lies“Full fathom five thy father lies” is a famous quote from William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. It appears in Act I, Scene 2 and is spoken by the spirit Ariel.
g
- Get thee to a nunneryThe phrase “Get thee to a nunnery” is an expression that is used to tell someone to go away or leave a situation. It is a famous quote from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
h
- How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child” can be found in Act I, Scene 4 of King Lear.
i
- I am one who loved not wisely, but too well“I am one who loved not wisely but too well” is a well-known Shakespearean quote that features at the end of his tragedy, Othello. The quote can be found in Act V, Scene 2.
- If music be the food of love play on“If music be the food of love play on” is a quote from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. It is the first line of the play, spoken by Orsino, the Duke of Illyria.
- If you prick us, do we not bleed?“If you prick us, do we not bleed?” can be found in William Shakespeare’s comedy The Merchant of Venice. It is spoken by the moneylender, Shylock.
- It’s not in the stars to hold our destiny but ourselves“It’s not in the stars to hold our destiny but ourselves” is a well-known Shakespearean quote that speaks about fate and destiny.
l
- Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player” is an interesting Shakespearean quote that is used in his tragedy, Macbeth. It appears in Act V, Scene 5 and is spoken by the title character.
- Lord, what fools these mortals be!“Lord, what fools these mortals be!” can be found in Act III, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The quote is spoken by Robin Goodfellow, or Puck, to Oberon and falls and can be seen in line 117.
- Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind” is a quote in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
m
- Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows” can be found in William Shakespeare's famous play The Tempest in Act II, Scene 2. The line is spoken by Trinculo while he’s alone on the stage.
n
- Neither a borrower nor a lender be"Neither a borrower nor a lender be” appears in Act I, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The quote is spoken by Polonius, Ophelia’s father, and King Claudius’ chief minister.
- Nothing will come of nothing“Nothing will come of nothing” is a quote from William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. The quote appears in Act I, Scene 1, line 99.
- Now is the winter of our discontent“Now is the winter of our discontent” is one of the most commonly quoted lines in all of Shakespeare. It appears at the beginning of his famed play, Richard III.
o
- Off with his head“Off with his head” is a quote used by William Shakespeare in his history play, Henry VI, Part III and in Richard III.
s
- Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” is used in Act II Scene 5 of Twelfth Night.
t
- The course of true love never did run smooth“The course of true love never did run smooth” is a quote from Act I, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The line is spoken by the character Lysander.
- The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interrèd with their bones"The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interrèd with their bones” is a quote spoken by Mark Antony. It is appears to be about Caesar but is actually about Brutus.
- The fault, dear Brutus“The fault, dear Brutus” is the beginning of a well-known quote found in William Shakespeare’s history play, Julius Caesar. It can be found in Act I, Scene 2, and is spoken by Cassius.
- The lady doth protest too much, methinks“The lady doth protest too much, methinks” is a famous quote used in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is spoken by Queen Gertrude.
- There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy” is an enigmatic quote that appears in the first Act of Hamlet. It is spoken by the title character: Hamlet.
- There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” is a quote from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. It appears in Act II, Scene 2 and is spoken by Hamlet.
- This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle“This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle” is a quote that appears in Act II, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s history play Richard II.
- To thine own self be true"To thine own self be true” is a well-known Shakespearean quote. It is found in Hamlet in Act I, Scene 3, and is spoken by the King’s advisor, Polonius.
u
- Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” is a famous quote from William Shakespeare’s King Henry IV Part 2.
w
- We are such stuff as dreams are made on“We are such stuff as dreams are made on” is a well-known quote that features in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The line appears in Act IV, Scene 1.
- We know what we are, but know not what we may be“We know what we are, but know not what we may be” is a quote that features in Act IV, Scene 5 and is spoken by Ophelia.
- What light through yonder window breaks“What light through yonder window breaks” is part of one of the most famous soliloquies in all of William Shakespeare's plays. The line is spoken by Romeo in Act II, Scene 2.
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