Category Archives: Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations

Bertrand Russell complained about one of his grandmother’s preferred puns, “What is mind? Doesn’s matter. What is matter? Never mind.” And yet we, as a species, continuously attempt to fathom the mystery of the mind, with the help of philosophy, psychology and history. Shakespeare has given us much food for thought on all three, as well as music for those who love the music of words.

Shakespeare on Dreams and Love beyond Dreams

Posted on August 10, 2012 by jimmie

“… all this is but a dream, Too flattering sweet to be substantial.” (Romeo and Juliet, act 2, sc.2) Tips for use.  When the outcome of your action or hope went well beyond your expectations. Or when you meet with an extraordinary unexpected pleasant surprise. The surprise may not have to be limited to the Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Compliments, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Presentation Ideas, Romantic Shakespearean Quotes, Shakespeare on Sex & Gender Roles, William Shakespeare Love Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare on Dreams and Love beyond Dreams

Shakespeare on bagpipe and bagpipes, musical taste, likes and dislikes

Posted on August 9, 2012 by jimmie

“Some men there are love not a gaping pig; … And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ the nose Cannot contain their urine.” (Merchant Of Venice, act 4, sc. 1) Tips for use.  Perfect repartee should you dislike the subject instrument and be asked about your related opinion. With some artistic license you can apply Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Amusing Shakespeare, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Chances Quotes, Insults Shakespeare-style, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Presentation Ideas, Shakespeare on Music, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare on bagpipe and bagpipes, musical taste, likes and dislikes

Shakespeare on Health-Care, Natural Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Natural Remedy

Posted on August 8, 2012 by jimmie

 “Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, The which he lacks, that to provoke in him, Are many simples operative, whose power Will close the eye of anguish” (King Lear act 4, sc. 4) Tips for use.  A good line to recommend rest to a fatigued colleague or friend. The idea of rest as a medicine Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Chances Quotes, Encouraging Quotes, Medicine in Shakespeare, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Presentation Ideas, Sayings about Life, Shakespeare on Health Care, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare on Health-Care, Natural Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Natural Remedy

Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra and Answering a Request from a Woman

Posted on August 6, 2012 by jimmie

“…our courteous Antony, Whom ne’er the word of ‘No’ woman heard speak” (Antony and Cleopatra, act 2, sc. 2) Tips for Use. Whether you may mean it literally or figuratively, whether it is actually true or whether it represents your general inclination on the matter, the line makes an elegant answer to a request for Read More

Posted in Best Shakespeare Quotes, Chances Quotes, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Romantic Shakespearean Quotes, Shakespeare on Sex & Gender Roles, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style, William Shakespeare Love Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra and Answering a Request from a Woman

Shakespeare, on Hair Loss, Baldness and Positive Thinking

Posted on August 5, 2012 by jimmie

ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse. Why is Time such a niggard of hair, being, as it is, so plentiful an excrement? DROMIO of Syracuse. Because it is a blessing that time bestows on beasts; and what he has scanted men in hair, he hath given them in wit. ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Why, but there’s many a man Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Amusing Shakespeare, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Chances Quotes, Encouraging Quotes, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Presentation Ideas, Sayings about Life, Shakespeare on Sex & Gender Roles, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare, on Hair Loss, Baldness and Positive Thinking

Exception to Shakespeare by Way of Alexander Pope

Posted on August 4, 2012 by jimmie

“True Wit is Nature to Advantage drest, What oft was thought, bit ne’er so well Exprest” (A. Pope, Essay on Criticism) In today’s blog we take a brief excursion outside of the Shakespeare realm. A bit like the Tour de France, that, being such, takes the occasional leap into one of the neighboring countries. I Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Business Presentations, Chances Quotes, Motivational Sayings, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Presentation Ideas, Sayings about Life, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Exception to Shakespeare by Way of Alexander Pope

Shakespeare on Hypocrisy, Deception and False Appearances

Posted on August 3, 2012 by jimmie

“O, what may man within him hide, Though angel on the outward side!” (Measure For Measure, act 3, sc. 2) Tips for use.  A pointed comment on hypocrisy and hypocrites and generally on deceptive or false appearances. The word hypocrisy is of Greek derivation, hypokrisis, “acting on the stage, pretense”. Describing a European country in Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Fighting your Adversary, Insults Shakespeare-style, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Presentation Ideas, Sayings about Life, Shakespeare in Management, Shakespeare in Politics, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Shakespeare on Facial Expression and Non Verbal Communication

Posted on July 27, 2012 by jimmie

“… there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties have not craft enough to colour” (Hamlet, act 2, sc. 2) Tips for Use.  We all draw initial impressions and indications from the facial expressions of people we meet. Use the line to effect when your interlocutor seems hesitant in answering a Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Amusing Shakespeare, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Business Presentations, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Presentation Ideas, Shakespeare in Management, Shakespeare in Politics, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare on Facial Expression and Non Verbal Communication

Shakespeare on Age, Appearance and Sex Appeal by Default

Posted on July 21, 2012 by jimmie

“I was created with a stubborn outside, with an aspect of iron, that, when I come to woo the ladies, I frighten them. But in faith the elder I wax, the better I shall appear: my comfort is that old age, that ill layer-up of beauty, can do no more spoils upon my face.” (King Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Amusing Shakespeare, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations, Romantic Shakespearean Quotes, Sayings about Life, Shakespeare on Sex & Gender Roles, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style, William Shakespeare Love Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shakespeare on Age, Appearance and Sex Appeal by Default

Shakespeare on the Power of Personality and Personality Type

Posted on July 20, 2012 by jimmie

GLOUCESTER The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is ‘t not the king? KING LEAR  Ay, every inch a king (King Lear act 4, sc. 6) Comments.  Confirm the exceptional standing of a person. You can change ‘king’ to ‘queen’, ‘prince’ or other equivalent (preferably monosyllabic) titles with equal effect. Equally effective in Read More

Posted in After Dinner Quotes, Best Shakespeare Quotes, Business Presentations, Elegant Shakespearean Quotes, Encouraging Quotes, Insults Shakespeare-style, Presentation Ideas, Shakespeare in Management, Shakespeare in Politics, Social Exchanges Shakespeare style | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment