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.

Shakespeare, Love Quotes for him, Love Quotes for her (more to come)

“Here comes the countess: now heaven walks on earth.” (Twelfth Night, act 5, sc. 1) Comments. We must, we should, we have to change the subject of political elections. If not else, in an attempt to forget that millions of well-intended citizens will go to vote in the totally unsupported belief that their vote will Read More

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Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra and a Romantic Greeting Liable to Misinterpretation

“…He’s speaking now, Or murmuring ‘Where’s my serpent of old Nile?’ (Antony and Cleopatra act 1, sc. 5) Comments.  Should you greet your girlfriend or significant other with “Where is my serpent of the Nile?” – or of the Potomac, the Missouri, Mississippi, Colorado river or equivalent – you should ensure that the said lady Read More

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Shakespeare on Age, Birthdays and the Passing of Time

“My glass shall not persuade me I am old As long as youth and thou are of one date.” (Sonnet 22) Comments.  Isn’t it true that we can see youth reflected back, at least virtually or in imagination? The idea could not be said better than with these lines. Tips for Use. Answer to “How Read More

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Shakespeare on the Speed of Thought

“For nimble thought can jump both sea and land, As soon as think the place where he would be.” (Sonnet 44) Comments.  Modern electronics has erased distances creating an almost instant virtual presence among people who may even live at the opposite side of the earth. Modern technology has also dramatically reduced the time required Read More

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Shakespeare on How to Get to a Girl’s Heart

 “Flatter and praise, commend, extol their graces, Though ne’er so black, say they have angels’ faces.” (Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 3, sc. 1) Comments. On flattery there is general consensus, it works. Oscar Wilde succinctly proclaimed that “flattery is the infantry of negotiations.” And Ovid, in his ‘Art of Love’, vol. 2 writes, “…each Read More

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Shakespeare, Compliments to a Lady and the Discreet Casanova

“Full many a lady I have eyed with best regards; and many a time The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues Have I lik’d several women; never any With so full a soul, but some defect in her Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow’d, Read More

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Shakespeare on Silence and Happiness

BEATRICE. Speak, count, it is your cue. CLAUDIO. Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were but little happy, if I could say how much. (Much Ado About Nothing, act 2, sc. 1) Tips for Use. Excellent reply when you are not in the mood to talk and your silence is interpreted as moodiness, Read More

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Shakespeare on Women and Roses

“For women are as roses, whose fair flower Being once display’d, doth fall that very hour.” (Twelfth Night, act 2, sc. 4) Tips for Use. The statement suggests a double standard and a trace of ‘macho’ philosophy. You may just use ‘Women are as roses’. But if she is an insufferable lady very full of Read More

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Shakespeare on Fresh Breath and Bad Breath Remedies if Needed

“The leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander, Out-sweetens not thy breath.” (Cymbeline, act 4, sc. 1) Tips for Use. Perfect answer if your better (or worse) half is concerned about her/his breath and queries you about it. Perhaps it is a case where a license to lie may be granted. The quality of breath Read More

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Shakespeare on Middle Age and Flowers for Middle Aged Men

“….Here’s flowers for you; Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram; The marigold, that goes to bed wi’ the sun And with him rises weeping: these are flowers Of middle summer, and I think they are given To men of middle age. You’re very welcome.” (Winter’s Tale.4.4) Tips for Use. In Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets flowers are Read More

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