“An habitation giddy and unsure
Hath he, that buildeth on the vulgar heart.”
(King Henry IV part 2, act 1, sc. 3)
Tips for Use. Define questionable, unreliable and uncouth allies, or unstable masses. The idea of the unreliability of crowds is a frequent recurrent theme in Shakespeare’s plays. And it is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to make reforms and why collective consciousness is afraid of revolutions. The French revolutionaries found everything wrong with kings and priests, but soon determined that there was nothing wrong with emperors. Without adding that after Napoleon there were two monarchy restorations, one more emperor and two more revolutions. The fact is almost as old as recorded history. Other references on the same subject, in verse and in prose are too many to count. But, given the nearness in time to Shakespeare here are lines from the English poet, nobleman and literary critic,
Wentworth Dillon, 4th Earl of Roscommon (c. 1630 – 18 January 1685) ,
“…Yet be not blindly guided by the throng;
The multitude is always in the wrong.” (Essay on Verse).
Take a look at the web-page describing the book “Your Daily Shakespeare”, 1390 pages filled to the brim with over 10,000 situations you may find yourself in or involved with, attuned to the perfect Shakespearean repartee that will get you on the stage or at least out of the water – besides making you a winner of verbal contests. “Your Daily Shakespeare” has been described as the most unusual, useful and unique book of Shakespearean quotations. Nothing similar exists or has ever existed.
And if you like this website why not subscribe (see last menu item to the right)? You will get automatically any new blog as well as any other information and novelty that will be forthcoming, including a system to effortlessly (yes) remember hundreds of Shakespearean quotes by heart while having fun in the process. You can also chat with me – please go to the chat-page. And I promise, no sales calls, trade leads, venomous schemes, hidden plots, Machiavellian conspiracies, commercial ploys, psychological tricks, leads exchanges, barter proposals, suggestions or offers of any kind imaginable (and unimaginable).
In the play. The archbishop of York commenting on the support base of Henry IV.
Image Source: http://www.openideo.com/tags/flash%20mob