William Shakespeare Quotes from the Bard
William Shakespeare quotes come from the man who some call the greatest writer of all time. Though the Bard's personal life is veiled in mystery too tough for Holmes and Watson to crack (there isn't even a stick-figure drawing from his earthly life), we can peek into his mind through his colorful characters and tongue-in-cheek style.
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William Shakespeare Quotes from William Shakespeare, the Overachiever
You know the overachiever - he gets the grades, gets the girl, does his job, and calls his biggest triumphs "a day's work". That was Shakespeare. His fellow actors weren't all knocking down stage props to share a goblet with him...and many of them were envious of his ambition.Beginning at the age of 25 (with his first play, Henry VI, Part One), he wrote an average of one-and-a-half full-length plays every year. His grand total came to 37, along with 154 sonnets...and all of that while working as an actor in numerous theatres and in royal courts.
Shakespeare came from an illiterate family. He did not complete grammar school. Without much formal education, Will drew most of his inspiration from childhood memories of fairs, public entertainment, time spent viewing the royal court, and superstition. Quotes by William Shakespeare prove only portions of his 29,000 word vocabulary (the average well-educated American's vocabulary is 10,000 - 15,000 words).
The Accomplishment of William Shakespeare Quotes
Almost all William Shakespeare quotations were published posthumously (after his death). He didn't publish a single play during his lifetime. Sure, he performed them on stage, but until two of his fellow actors started to print his plays seven years after his death, his words were more fleeting than stage bloopers.Despite the belief by some (including Mark Twain) that Shakespeare did not author is own works, he continues to be the most popular literary artist of all time. He has no living descendants - he had three children, but all of his grandchildren died before bearing children of their own.
No worries, though - each one of us is heir to his finely crafted words and his loyal, conceited, romantic, dim-witted, and courageous characters...all who live in on in each and every William Shakespeare quote.
William Shakespeare Quick Facts
Born: Unknown (baptism April 26, 1564) (birthday celebrated on April 23)Died: April 23, 1616
Nationality: English
Education: Kings New School in Stratford-upon-Avon
Occupations: theater door horse holder, playwright, poet, actor
Interests/Hobbies: real estate investment, theatre
Books & Plays by William Shakespeare on Amazon
William Shakespeare References
William Shakespeare Facts (WilliamShakespeare.org)
William Shakespeare Facts (Absolute Shakespeare)
Your Top Ten William Shakespeare Quotes:
"This above all: to thine own self be true. - Hamlet (Act I, Scene III)" - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 5.0/5 (3 votes)
"I love thee, I love but thee. With a love that shall not die. Till the sun grows cold. And the stars grow old." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes)
Also see: Best Cute Love Quotes, Very Sweet Love Quotes
"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes)
Also see: Valentine Quotes
"As soon go kindle fire with snow, as seek to quench the fire of love with words." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes)
Also see: Love Quotes
"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 4.8/5 (4 votes)
"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 4.5/5 (2 votes)
"To be, or not to be: that is the question. - Hamlet (Act III, Scene I)." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 4.5/5 (2 votes)
Also see: Famous Life Quotes
"Blow, blow, thou winter wind Thou art not so unkind, As man's ingratitude." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 4.5/5 (2 votes)
"I am not bound to please thee with my answers." - William Shakespeare
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Rating: 4.5/5 (2 votes)