Amanda's Shakespeare Blog April 2004 Archive

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more, Or close the wall up with our English dead! In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility; But when the ... Read More

The Globe was built in 1599, but the thatch roof caught fire in 1613 owing to the discharge of a cannon during a production of "Henry VIII" and the theatre ... Read More

Shakespeare is responsible indirectly for the starling's arrival in the United States. A fan of Shakespeare named Eugene Scheifflin wanted to bring all the birds listed in Shakespeare's plays to ... Read More

"The Merry Wives" is unique amongst Shakespeare's plays because it is set in Shakespeare's England. It features the Bard's beloved character, Falstaff. Read the play...

Ever wonder what "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" might look like if only Shakespeare questions were asked? Take our quiz and find out how you would do.

By heaven, methinks it were an easy leap To pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon, Or dive into the bottom of the deep, Where fathom-line could never touch the ground, And pluck up ... Read More

The series of dynastic civil wars, known as the War of the Roses, lasted from 1455 to 1485. Fought between two branches of the Plantagenet family, the Houses of Lancaster ... Read More

Ale (similar to but heavier than beer) was the drink of choice in Shakespeare's day. Everyone from the poorest farmer to the Queen herself drank the brew made from malt, ... Read More

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for herself Against infection and the hand of war, This ... Read More

A collection of Shakespearean quotations on the beauty, joy, and transitory nature of the four seasons.

Haply I think on thee, and then my state, Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate. ... Read More

We are all familiar with the story of the Prince of Denmark who must avenge his father's death, but sometimes recalling the events, lines, and minor characters in the play ... Read More

Shakespearean England was a treasure-trove of historical giants – Elizabeth I, Ben Jonson, the Earl of Essex, Edward Alleyn, John Lyly, William Kempe – all fascinating to be sure. It ... Read More

Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, ... Read More