Category Archives: Compliments

“I could live for two months on a good compliment”, said Mark Twain. A compliment, especially if tasteful, is a valuable weapon in the art of social intercourse. Shakespeare offers an almost inexhaustible source of compliments that are fresh, clear, elegant and effective. All compliments that appear on this site are extracted form the book “Your Daily Shakespeare.” Blogs are regularly posted on this and many other subjects and categories.

A Deep Divine

“…meditating with two deep divines, Not sleeping, to engross his idle body, But praying, to enrich his watchful soul.” King Richard III, act 3, sc. 7 Sipping an espresso in the park’s cafe’, I looked at the trees, thinking of that “time of the year… when yellow leaves, or none, or few do hang upon Read More

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Shakespeare & Valentine Quotes

He who watches the mainstream news, or alternative sources, with  videos showing beheadings by Isis, and the slaughter of civilians in Novorussia by the army of democracy, has reasons for pessimism. The news may prompt a mood where this goodly frame the earth seems a sterile promontory, and this most excellent canopy, the air, this Read More

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Shakespeare at St. Valentine

Many, or at least the overwhelming majority of St. Valentine traditionalists, will acquire one or more cards from sundry stationery stores or franchises. Nothing wrong, of course, except that the pre-printed messages on St. Valentine cards are often more soft than crisp, more sniveling than elegant and more ridiculous than romantic. All good grist, along Read More

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Shakespeare & Healthful Environments

“This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses.” (Macbeth act 1, sc. 6) Two weeks without an entry… Thanks to the “Your Daily Shakespeare” site followers who emailed me questioning the unusually long hiatus. But….”There is occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things”, as Read More

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Shakespeare, Romanticism and the Role of Woman in a Gated Democracy

“Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date…” (SON.18) Comment. As we will try to demonstrate in this article, the beautiful lines of this famous sonnet are desperately obsolete. Global Read More

Posted in Best Shakespeare Quotes, Chances Quotes, Compliments, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Romantic Shakespearean Quotes, Sayings about Life, Shakespeare on Mass Psychology and Group Behavior, Shakespeare on Sex & Gender Roles, William Shakespeare Love Quotes | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Daffodils, Shakespeare, Wordworth, Rustle of Spring, Poetry and Music

“Daffodils, that come before the swallow dares, and take The winds of March with beauty” (Winter’s Tale, act 4, sc. 4) Comment. Today we will deflect our gaze from the contemptible machinations of warmongers, thieves, perverts and unpalatable politicians. We are at the edge of Spring among whose heralds are the daffodils, now in plentiful Read More

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Shakespeare on Apologies from a Charming Woman

“Thou mak’st faults graces that to thee resort. As on the finger of a throned queen, The basest jewel will be well esteemed.” (Sonnet 96) Comment. Answer with these lines after whatever incident or occurrence that caused her to say ‘excuse me’. And given that flattery is the infantry of negotiations (Oscar Wilde), you have Read More

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Another St. Valentine, another Shakespearean Compliment

“The field’s chief flower, sweet above compare, Stain to all nymphs… More white and red than doves or roses are” (Venus and Adonis) As a curiosity item, here is a letter from an illustrious and historical character to his Valentine of the time – when the Internet was the stuff of improbable miracles or of Read More

Posted in Best Shakespeare Quotes, Compliments, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Romantic Shakespearean Quotes, Shakespeare on Flowers, Shakespeare on Sex & Gender Roles, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style, William Shakespeare Love Quotes | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Shakespeare and Original Ideas for St. Valentine

“Verona’s summer hath not such a flower” (Romeo and Juliet, act 1, sc. 3) Comment.  According to Oscar Wilde, “Women are never disarmed by compliments. Men always are and that is the difference between the sexes.” Be it as it may, the hyper-commercial festivities of St. Valentine need not deter you (us) from extracting a Read More

Posted in Amusing Shakespeare, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Compliments, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Romantic Shakespearean Quotes, Shakespeare on Flowers, Shakespeare on Sex & Gender Roles, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style, William Shakespeare Love Quotes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Shakespeare and a Greeting to Remember and be Remembered by

“Let all the number of the stars give light To thy fair way!”  (Antony and Cleopatra, act 3, sc. 2) Comments. Salutations to all friends and visitors to the “Your Daily Shakespeare”. The webmaster is on his way to Florence for a formal presentation of his new book, (title translated), “Our Daily Dante – 3500 Read More

Posted in Best Shakespeare Quotes, Chances Quotes, Compliments, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Motivational Sayings, Romantic Shakespearean Quotes, Sayings about Life, Shakespeare Invocations, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment