Hailed as one of the popular tragedies in classical literature, “Romeo and Juliet” is replete with memorable and timeless quotes that defy the confines of time and space. Due to its immense popularity, some of the riveting dialogues have been…
Tag: shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a literary device commonly used by playwrights in their plays. It occurs when the audience understands the implication and significance of a specific situation on stage, whereas the characters are unaware of the gravity of the meanings…
Romeo and Juliet Characters
Characters are an integral element of a play. They are known to be dramatis personae. In addition to making a theatrical play vibrant, characters play a significant role in sustaining the momentum of a r drama. Various major and minor…
Romeo and Juliet Aside
An aside is a short speech, passage or phrase uttered by a particular character in a drama or play. The dialogue or phrase spoken by the character is meant to be heard by the audience but not by the other…
Romeo and Juliet Allusion
A brief, indirect reference to a place, person, thing or idea that holds, historical, mythological or literary significance is called an allusion. The dramatist merely makes a passing reference to the allusion without going into detail. It is assumed that…
10 Examples of Irony in Shakespeare
Shakespeare is one of the prevailing masters of irony – he uses dramatic, situational, and verbal irony in such a way that few others have been able to replicate. Truly, when one talks about irony, if they do not talk…
Hamlet Act-I, Scene-III Study Guide
Plot Overview This scene takes place at the residence of Polonius, in a room in the castle of Elsinore. His son, Laertes, offers overprotective advice to his sister, Ophelia, who is in love with Prince Hamlet. His tone shows that…
Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark
Origin This phrase is taken from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The speaker is Marcellus, a guard, who talks to his philosophical comrade, Horatio, saying, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark …“ (Act-I, Scene-IV). The reason of saying this…
Hamlet Act-I, Scene-II Study Guide
This scene opens in the court of King Claudius. The king is engaged in preaching ethics to his family members and courtiers regarding balancing life between sorrows and everyday preoccupations. He vows to combine and sustain the grief he feels…
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Origin This is one of the more famous speeches written by Shakespeare, and delivered his famous character, Macbeth, in the play of the same title. He says this to indicate that another day in his life would be just a…
The Winter of Our Discontent
Origin William Shakespeare has used this phrase in his popular play, Richard III, where King Richard is expressing his feelings of discontent regarding living in the world that hates him. He begins his soliloquy by stating, “Now is the winter…
That Way Madness Lies
Origin The origin of this phrase is tracked in William Shakespeare’s King Lear. King Lear speaks this line to Kent, to express his grief for his daughters’ selfish and cruel behavior. He says, “Your old kind father, whose frank heart…
There is a Tide in the Affairs of Men
Origin This phrase has been taken from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, where Brutus talks to Cassius saying, “There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune” (Act-IV, Scene-III). Brutus means to say…
The Quality of Mercy is Not Strain’d
Origin This phrase is taken from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. It occurs where Portia demands Shylock be merciful, stating that “The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven/Upon the place beneath” (Act-IV,…
Star-crossed Lovers
Origin Like several other phrases, this phrase has been selected from Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet. This phrase is illustrating a couple whose bond of love is destined to fail. Its origin seems to be astrological, but it is…
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Origin Like several others, the origin of this phrase is also traced to Shakespeare. He has used this phrase in Act-II, Scene-II of his play, Romeo and Juliet. This scene takes place on the balcony, when Juliet says, “Sweet, so…
Heavy is The Head That Wears The Crown
Origin of Heavy is The Head That Wears The Crown The original source of this phrase is not known, but William Shakespeare used it in his play, King Henry IV, with little modification, as he wrote, “Deny it to a…
Hamlet Act-I, Scene-I Study Guide
Plot Overview In the first scene of Hamlet, Barnardo, a guard, comes to relieve Francisco, who is his colleague. They are performing their duty as guards on the platform in the castle of Elsinore. Barnardo asks Francisco about his identity.…
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
Origin of To Sleep, Perchance to Dream This phrase occurs in the most celebrated soliloquy of Prince Hamlet in the Shakespearean play of the same name, Hamlet. It starts with another famous phrase, “To be or not to be,” in…
Lady Doth Protest too Much
Origin of The Lady Doth Protest Too Much Queen Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother says this popular phrase when watching the play, The Mousetrap, staged within William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In Act -III, Scene-II of the play, Queen Gertrude says, when speaking to…
