Brush Up Your Shakespeare!

Earlier this week, I posted a status on Facebook ... "My kingdom for 2 amazing female singers and a strong chorus."  This was in reference to show I would like to do this summer.  Today I was talking to a friend who asked me about this show I wanted to do this summer called My Kingdom.  I laughed.  Now, in case there are some other out there who might wonder why I would laugh at this, here's the reason... there is no show called My Kingdom.   The status was a reference to a line from Shakespeare's Richard III -- "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"


This little exchange got me to thinking ... I wonder how many other phrases that have Shakespearean origins are either not known at all or people aren't aware that they are actually from Shakespeare.  So here are some of my favorite Shakespeare phrases.  Maybe you can work them into your next conversation and confuse the hell out of your friends.... or at least sound infinitely more cultured!

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.
       AS YOU LIKE IT


That but this blow might be the be-all and end-all here.
     MACBETH


True it is that we have seen better days ....
     AS YOU LIKE IT


The better part of valor is discretion.
     HENRY IV pt. 1


O brave new world that has such people in't!
     THE TEMPEST


Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit .... I will be brief.
     HAMLET


I'll not budge an inch, boy; let him come and kindly.
     THE TAMING OF THE SHREW


The course of true love never did run smooth.
     A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM


I must be cruel to be kind.
     HAMLET


Cry "Havoc!"  and let slip the dogs of wars.
     JULIUS CAESAR


He hath eaten me out of house and home!
     HENRY IV pt.2


According to the fair play of the world, let me have audience.
     KING JOHN

For goodness sake, consider what you do.
     HENRY the EIGHTH


But this denoted a forgone conclusion.
     OTHELLO


Th' hast spoken right, 'tis true.  The wheel is come full circle, I am here.
     KING LEAR


Good riddance!
     TROILUS & CRESSIDA


I will wear him in my heart's core, ay, in my heart of hearts, as I do thee.
     HAMLET


But I will wear my heart on my sleeve.
     OTHELLO

Knock, Knock! Who's there?
     MACBETH


The lady doth protest too much!
     HAMLET


Lord, what fools these mortals be!
     A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM


Men, at some time, are masters of their fates.
     JULIUS CAESAR


Though this be madness, yet there is method to it.
     HAMLET


If music be the food of love, play on!
     TWELFTH NIGHT

What, all my pretty chicken,... in one fell swoop?
     MACBETH


Good night, good night!  Parting is such sweet sorrow.
     ROMEO & JULIET


What a piece of work is man!
     HAMLET


The play's the thing.
     HAMLET


When in the why and wherefore, is neither rhyme nor reason.
     A COMEDY OF ERRORS
By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.
     MACBETH


Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?
     AS YOU LIKE IT

What's done is done.
     MACBETH


Nay, if our wits run the wild goose chase, I am done.
     ROMEO & JULIET