William Shakespeare is presumed to have been born at Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England on this day in 1564, and is known to have died on this day in 1616. In between, he wrote and played in a number of plays, most of which are still produced today, and is also known for a good bit of poetry. Along the way, he introduced more words into the English language than anyone else. His works have been translated into more languages than any other English author, and he is the most quoted author of all time.
I have always enjoyed watching his plays, and would have to say that I like them all; however my favorites by far are Macbeth, Hamlet and Henry V, not necessarily in that order.
As for his quotes:
“God grant us patience!”
“No profit grows where there is no pleasure ta’en.”
“Boldness be my friend.”
“Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice.”
“Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.”
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
“Niether a borrower nor a lender be.”
“Striving to be better, oft we mar what's well.”
“Wisely and slow: they stumble that run fast.”
“Talkers are no good doers.”
All from William Shakespeare, 1564 – 1616
Heh… Taming of the Shrew. That got me hooked.
Thanks for the comment Libby, and I agree wholeheartedly!
Hear! Hear! Or should I say “Hear Ye, Hear Ye”? Kudos to the Bard of Avon. And many thanks from me to Kenneth Branagh for making his plays intelligible to all of us mental midgets out here who found 16th century English incomprehensible!