Author Archives: jimmie

Preamble to a Question

Posted on February 8, 2012 by jimmie

“I will be a fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer. “ (AWEW.2.2) Tips for use. Alternative to ‘Maybe this is a stupid question’ or when you wish to pull the leg of the speaker, especially if he thinks of having been clear in his exposition. In the play. At Rousillon, Read More

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No Objections to Agreement

Posted on February 7, 2012 by jimmie

“May I never To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, Dream of impediment.” (AC.2.2) Tips for Use. Answer to ‘Do you agree?’, particularly if the agreement is  important or represents a compromise reached after intense negotiations. In the play. Antony agrees to the proposal, put forward by Agrippa, that he, Antony, marries Octavia, Octavian’s Read More

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But Yet, Objections Direct or Indirect

Posted on February 7, 2012 by jimmie

“I do not like ‘but yet’, it does allay The good precedence: fie upon ‘but yet’, ‘But yet’ is as a jailer to bring forth Some monstrous malefactor.” (AC.2.5) Tips for use. When she is almost ready to say yes but there is still some hesitation expressed by “but yet”. Or in any occasion where Read More

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Say No to Fast Food

Posted on February 6, 2012 by jimmie

“…on the Alps 
It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh,
 Which some did die to look on:” (AC.1.4) Tips for use. A good reason for not eating fast food. You can quote the observation about Antony. Or you could just say, “This is food which some did die to look on.” Equally applicable to Read More

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Ageless Perfect Woman

Posted on February 6, 2012 by jimmie

“Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety. Other women cloy The appetite they feed, but she makes Hungry, where most she satisfies.” (AC.2.2) Tips on Use. Answer to “Will you always love me even when I am old?” Change the case of the particle from ‘her’ to you and from ‘she makes’ Read More

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When Someone is worth less than Dust

Posted on February 3, 2012 by jimmie

“You are not worth the dust which the rude wind Blows in your face.” (King Lear 4.2) Comments and How to Use. When you want to express your deep contempt for an individual of either sex.  See also ‘Insult, not worth another word – You are not worth another word, else I’d call you knave.’ Read More

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Good Lines for a Teetotaler

Posted on February 3, 2012 by jimmie

“… Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner, honest water, which ne’er left man i’ the mire” (TOA 1.2)  Comments and How to Use. Applicable if you are a teetotaler when invited to drink alcohol. Or if you want to stop drinking before driving. In the actual play. The ornery Apemantus scorns Read More

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Compliment for Jewel or other Object

Posted on January 11, 2012 by jimmie

Sweet Ornament that Decks a Thing Divine (TGV 2.1) Comments and How to Use. “I can live for two months on a good compliment”. The statement is attributed to Mark Twain. Being complimented can be sometimes embarrassing, because agreeing may suggest conceit while disagreeing may hide false modesty. But saying that you can live for Read More

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Are Doctors Trustworthy?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by jimmie

“… trust not the physician; His antidotes are poison, and he slays More than you rob.” (TOA.4.3) How to Use.  A reliable example to indicate your general lack of confidence in modern medicine. In the play. Two robbers stumble upon Timon who has retreated and retired to a wood. He talks with the robbers and Read More

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Those Girls of Italy

Posted on January 11, 2012 by jimmie

“Those girls of Italy, take heed of them; They say, our French lack language to deny, If they demand.” (AWEW.2.1) How to Use. A befitting romantic Shakespeare line for tongue-in-cheek praise of Italian ladies and attractions thereof. With  minimal poetic license you can change ‘Italy’ to any other country and ‘French’ to the other applicable  Read More

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