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 Power, Arrogance and the Arrogance of Power

Posted on July 18, 2012 by jimmie

“… man, proud man, Dressed in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he’s most assured, His glassy essence, like an angry ape, Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven As make the angels weep.” (Measure For Measure act 2, sc. 2) Tips for Use. Include the lines in a resignation email when you Read More

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Shakespeare on Relative Strengths and Weaknesses

Posted on July 16, 2012 by jimmie

“To end a tale of length, Troy in our weakness stands, not in her strength.” (Troilus and Cressida, act 1, sc. 3) Tips for Use. Change ‘Troy’ to any other city, state, person, situation, circumstances, where the enemy appears strong because the weaker party is incapable of organizing itself. In fact the truth is so Read More

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Shakespeare on Feminism, Women Power and Free Speech

Posted on July 15, 2012 by jimmie

 “Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak.” (As You Like It, act 3, sc. 2) Tips for Use. This line is specifically addressed to and usable by the members of the gentle sex. It also shows that feminism was not totally foreign to the mode of thought of Read More

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Shakespeare on True Love that Never did Run Smooth

Posted on July 14, 2012 by jimmie

 “… for aught that I could ever read, Could ever hear by tale or history, The course of true love never did run smooth.” (Midsummer Night’s Dream act 1, sc. 1)  Tips for Use. If you are a third party witnessing a quarrel between two lovers, deliver the lines as a way to indicate that Read More

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Shakespeare on Vows, Love Promises and Promises Broken

Posted on July 12, 2012 by jimmie

“Vows are but breath, and breath a vapour is” (Love’s Labours Lost, act 4, sc. 3) Comments. The line can be interpreted in two ways, or better, adapted to two opposite circumstances. To state that vows are but breath means to deny the validity of any commitment. As such, the message has a negative tone Read More

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Shakespeare on Love as an Antidepressant, Effects of Love

Posted on July 10, 2012 by jimmie

 “…thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings, That then I scorn to change my state with kings” (SON 29) Comments. If just a thought can have this effect then it is not necessary to look for other symptoms (of love). Talking about changing one state’s with kings, King Henry VIII kept a lively and romantic Read More

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Shakespeare on Sex and Aging

Posted on July 8, 2012 by jimmie

“Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?” (King Henry IV p2, act 2, sc. 4) Comments. Applicable to any aging Romeo. A modern equivalent is, “I still run after women but no longer remember why.” In his Anatomy of Melancholy Robert Burton, reflecting on the general cure for love-melancholy, says, Read More

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Shakespeare, Independence Day and the Occupy Wall Street Movement

Posted on July 4, 2012 by jimmie

“Till now you have gone on and fill’d the time With all licentious measure, making your wills The scope of justice; till now myself and such As slept within the shadow of your power Have wander’d with our traversed arms and breathed Our sufferance vainly: now the time     is flush, When crouching marrow in the Read More

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Shakespeare, Love quotes for Him, Love Quotes for Her

Posted on July 3, 2012 by jimmie

“I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.” (Much Ado About Nothing act 4, sc. 1) Comments.  In the chapter “Symptoms of Love”, of Robert Burton’s “Anatomy of Melancholy”, we find that ancient playwright Eustathius has his character “panting at the heart at the sight of his mistress,” Read More

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Shakespeare Quote, Hard Rock Groups, Hearing Loss and Irish Wolves

Posted on July 1, 2012 by jimmie

“Pray you, no more of this; ’tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the moon.” (As You Like It act 5, sc. 3) Comments. Applicable whenever your hearing is exposed to loud and very unpleasant or distasteful music – e.g. when your neighbors rehearse with their hard rock group. General opinions about music have Read More

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