Understanding “Once More Unto the Breach” The phrase “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,” resonates even today, centuries after its first utterance. It is a powerful call to action, a defiant embrace of challenge, and a testament…
Tag: shakespeare
My Kingdom for a Horse
Origin of “My Kingdom for a Horse” This iconic phrase originates from Act V, Scene IV of William Shakespeare’s play, Richard III. During the climactic Battle of Bosworth Field, King Richard III, desperate and realizing the battle is slipping away, cries out,…
Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be
Origin of “Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be” The well known phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. It appears in Act I, Scene III, as part of a lengthy counsel Polonius gives to his son Laertes who is…
All the World’s a Stage
Origin of All the World’s a Stage Like several other phrases, this phrase was coined by William Shakespeare. Jacques has spoken this famous phrase in Act-II, Scene-VII of the play As You Like It. He says, “All the world’s a…
Alas, Poor Yorick!
Alas, Poor Yorick! The poignant phrase “Alas, poor Yorick!” originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. It appears in Act V, Scene I, as Hamlet contemplates the skull of Yorick, the former royal jester, while conversing with Horatio in the graveyard.…
A Rose by any Other Name
A Rose by Any Other Name This enduring phrase, originating from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II), transcends its literary roots to become a widely recognized expression. Juliet poses the question, “What’s in a name? That which…
A Pound of Flesh
Origin of “A Pound of Flesh” The phrase ‘a pound of flesh’ originates from William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice. It is a pivotal element within the complex narrative, appearing most prominently in Act IV, Scene I. Shylock, a…
Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair
Understanding “Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair” This evocative phrase, originating from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, resonates far beyond the play’s confines. It is a powerful statement about the deceptive nature of appearances, the blurring of moral boundaries, and…
Frailty, Thy Name is Woman
Frailty, Thy Name is Woman This poignant phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, specifically Act 1, Scene 2. It is uttered by Prince Hamlet as he grapples with the recent death of his father, the former king, and the…
Wherefore Art Thou Romeo
Origin of “Wherefore Art Thou Romeo” This iconic phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. It appears in Juliet’s soliloquy in Act II, Scene II, as she looks up at the moon and laments the circumstances that keep…
To Thine Own Self Be True
The Enduring Wisdom of “To Thine Own Self Be True” This iconic phrase, originating from William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Hamlet, continues to resonate across centuries. It appears in Act 1, Scene 3, as advice given by Polonius to his son, Laertes,…
The Fault, Dear Brutus
The Origin of “The Fault, Dear Brutus” This powerful phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. It appears in Act I, Scene II, lines 137‑141, spoken by Cassius as he attempts to sway Brutus to join a conspiracy against…
Et Tu, Brute?
Origin of “Et Tu, Brute?” “Et Tu, Brute?”—perhaps the most recognizable three words in English literature—originates from William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar (Act III, Scene I, line 77). Within the play, Caesar utters these words as he is being assassinated,…
Brevity is the Soul of Wit
Origin of Brevity is the Soul of Wit The phrase “Brevity is the Soul of Wit” originates in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, specifically Act II, Scene II. Polonius imparts these words to his son, Laertes, as parting advice before Laertes’…
10 Memorable Uses of Apostrophe by Shakespeare
What is an Apostrophe? Apostrophe is one of the more elusive literary devices and presents students with difficulty in identifying its usage. Not to be confused with the punctuation mark of the same name, apostrophe is a rhetorical device used…