William Shakespeare is quite possibly the most quoted author on the subjects of love, life, death, words of wisdom, and clever insults. When naming a baby, a new product, a group, or other we may hear Juliet’s words, “What’s in a name?” And perhaps later in the evening, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” When washing my clothes you may hear me say “Out, damned spot!” and in reply to when I’ll take out the garbage: “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.”
Some phrases have found their way into our every day lives; more importantly, some have found their way into our hearts. When reading a work of the Bard it isn’t too difficult to find a line or short passage that has immense meaning to you at that moment in your life. Maybe it expresses the way you are feeling or is very good advice for something pertinent in your life.
Now it’s time for show and tell! What are those phrases you use regularly (and for what?) and are there any passages that you have found apply directly to your life now, or maybe some that you connected with some time ago?
One that seems to keep me semi-optimistic through life (especially in hellish situations) is “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” – Hamlet (II.ii). And Feste’s words in Twelfth Night seem to ring true for the way I am in public… “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” I think of more soon to post in the comments…
Now it’s your turn!