William Shakespeare

Explore 310 quotes by William Shakespeare

How beauteous mankind is! O, brave new world
That has such people in 't!

William Shakespeare

The Tempest

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Topic

Human excellence Man

Speaker

Miranda

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Tempest

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1616 1610s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 5, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 5, sc. 1.

Sweets grown common lose their dear delight.

William Shakespeare

Sonnet 102

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Topic

Too much of a good thing

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Sonnet 102 Shakespeare's Sonnets

Medium

Sonnet Poem

Language

English

Time

1609 1600s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Shake-speares Sonnets. London: Thomas Thorpe, 1609, sonnet 102, I. 12.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Sonnets." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, sonnet 102.

What is love? ’Tis not hereafter.
Present mirth hath present laughter.
What’s to come is still unsure.
In delay there lies no plenty,
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty.
Youth’s a stuff will not endure.

William Shakespeare

Twelfth Night, Or What You Will

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Topic

Living in the moment Enjoying life

Speaker

Clown

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Twelfth Night, Or What You Will

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play) Romantic comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1602 1600s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Twelfth Night, Or What You Will. 1602, Middle Temple Hall, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Twelfth Night." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 3.

O sleep, O gentle sleep,
Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frighted thee,
That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down
And steep my senses in forgetfulness?

William Shakespeare

Henry IV, Part 2

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Topic

Insomnia Sleep

Speaker

King Henry the Fourth

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry IV, Part 2

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1597 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry IV, Part 2. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, c. 1597, The Theatre, London, England, UK, act 3, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Second Part of Henry the Fourth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 3, sc. 1.

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.

William Shakespeare

As You Like It

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Topic

Self-knowledge Wisdom Fools

Speaker

Touchstone

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

As You Like It

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1616 1610s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "As You Like It." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 5, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "As You Like It." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 5, sc. 1.

I am giddy; expectation whirls me round.
Th' imaginary relish is so sweet
That it enchants my sense.

William Shakespeare

Troilus and Cressida

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Topic

Anticipation Excitement Imagination

Speaker

Troilus

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Troilus and Cressida

Medium

Play

Genre

Problem play

Language

English

Time

1603 1600s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Troilus and Cressida. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, c. 1603, The Globe Theatre, London, England, UK, act 3, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Troilus and Cressida." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 3, sc. 2.

O, who can hold a fire in his hand
By thinking on the frosty Caucasus?
Or cloy the hungry edge of appetite
By bare imagination of a feast?
Or wallow naked in December snow
By thinking on fantastic summer’s heat?

William Shakespeare

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Topic

Power of thought Thoughts Imagination

Speaker

Bullingbrook

Author

William Shakespeare

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1595 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Richard II. 9 Dec. 1595, The house of Edward Hoby, Westminster, London, England, UK, act 1, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Richard the Second." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 1, sc. 3.

For what is wedlock forced but a hell,
An age of discord and continual strife?
Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss
And is a pattern of celestial peace.

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 1

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Topic

Single life Conflict in marriage Marriage

Speaker

Suffolk

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry VI, Part 1

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1592 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry VI, Part 1. Lord Strange's Men, 1592, Rose Theatre, London, England, UK, act 5, sc. 5.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The First Part of Henry the Sixth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 5, sc. 5.

No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en.
In brief, sir, study what you most affect.

William Shakespeare

The Taming of the Shrew

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Topic

What to study

Speaker

Tranio

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Taming of the Shrew

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Statement Type

Advice

Language

English

Time

1594 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. The Taming of the Shrew. London: Cuthbert Burbie, 1594, act 1, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Taming of the Shrew." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 1, sc. 1.

There is occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things.

William Shakespeare

Henry V

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Topic

Causation

Speaker

Capt. Fluellen

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry V

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1599 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry V. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, c. 1599, The Curtain, Shoreditch, London, England, UK, act 5, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Henry the Fifth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 5, sc. 1.

Vows were ever brokers to defiling.

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Sonnets

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Topic

Broken promises Promises

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

A Lover’s Complaint Shakespeare's Sonnets

Medium

Poem

Genre

Narrative poem

Language

English

Time

1609 1600s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "A Lover's Complaint." Shakespeare's Sonnets. London: Thomas Thorpe, 1609, I. 173.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "A Lover's Complaint." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Suzanne Gossett, Jean E Howard, Katharine Eisaman Maus, and Gordon McMullan, 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015.

Be it art or hap,
He hath spoken true.

William Shakespeare

Antony and Cleopatra

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Topic

Honesty Truth

Speaker

Mark Antony

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Antony and Cleopatra

Medium

Play

Genre

Tragedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1607 1600s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. King's Men, c. 1607, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Antony and Cleopatra." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 3.

It easeth some, though none it ever cur'd,
To think their dolour others have endur'd.

William Shakespeare

The Rape of Lucrece

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Topic

Misery loves company Suffering

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Rape of Lucrece

Medium

Poem

Genre

Narrative poem

Language

English

Time

1594 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. The Rape of Lucrece. London: Richard Field, 1594, I. 1581.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Rape of Lucrece." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, I. 1581.

He that dies pays all debts.

William Shakespeare

The Tempest

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Topic

Death as a blessing Death Debt

Speaker

Stephano

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Tempest

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1616 1610s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 3, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 3, sc. 2.

A plague o' both your houses!

William Shakespeare

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Speaker

Mercutio

Author

William Shakespeare

Genre

Tragedy (play)

Statement Type

Curse

Language

English

Time

1597 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. London: John Danter, 1597, act 3, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Romeo and Juliet." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 3, sc. 1.

Love surfeits not, Lust like a glutton dies.
Love is all truth, Lust full of forgèd lies.

William Shakespeare

Venus and Adonis

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Topic

Love and lust Nature of love Love Lust

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Venus and Adonis

Medium

Poem

Genre

Narrative poem

Language

English

Time

1593 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Venus and Adonis. London: Richard Field, 1593, I. 803.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Venus and Adonis." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015.

But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit.

William Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice

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Topic

Love is blind Love

Speaker

Jessica

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Merchant of Venice

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1598 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. c. 1598, The Theatre, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 6.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Merchant of Venice." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 6.

Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing.

William Shakespeare

Troilus and Cressida

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Topic

Accomplishment Hard work Work

Speaker

Cressida

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Troilus and Cressida

Medium

Play

Genre

Problem play

Language

English

Time

1603 1600s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Troilus and Cressida. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, c. 1603, The Globe Theatre, London, England, UK, act 1, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Troilus and Cressida." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 1, sc. 2.

Even as one heat another heat expels,
Or as one nail by strength drives out another,
So the remembrance of my former love
Is by a newer object quite forgotten.

William Shakespeare

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

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Topic

New love Lost love Falling in love Love

Speaker

Proteus

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1616 1610s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 2, sc. 4.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 4.

Cudgel thy brains no more about it.

William Shakespeare

Hamlet

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Topic

Letting go

Speaker

Gravedigger

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Hamlet

Medium

Play

Genre

Tragedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1616 1610s 17th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 5, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 5, sc. 1.