Amanda's Shakespeare Blog March 2005 Archive

A selection of Shakespearean quotations on music, collected from his plays and sonnets.

Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown, And put a barren sceptre in my gripe. (3.1) Macbeth recalls the Witches' prediction that he will have no successors. Interestingly, although the ... Read More

Shakespeare relied on Raphael Holinshed's "Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland" (1587) as he wrote his history plays. In fact, Shakespeare made more use of Holinshed's "Chronicles" than any other ... Read More

Full fathom five thy father lies; Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes: Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into ... Read More

If you are interested in joining the ISA or participating in the upcoming World Shakespeare Congress, please visit the ISA website.

Questions about Shakespeare's birth, parents, siblings, ancestry, and life as an actor and playwright. So, how well do you know William? Test your knowledge here.

A collection of quotations on Shakespeare's most beloved animal.

Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night! Comets, importing change of times and states, Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky, And with them scourge the bad revolting ... Read More

The plays printed originally in quarto format were branded fraudulent by the editors of the First Folio, Heminge and Condell, who wrote in the Preface to their collection that fans ... Read More

The sonnet opens with a seemingly joyous and innocent tribute to the young friend who is vital to the poet's emotional well being. However, the poet quickly establishes the negative ... Read More

Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Ferdinand and who? Take our quiz and match the famous couples from Shakespeare's plays. Good luck!

Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news Hath but a losing office, and his tongue Sounds ever after as a sullen bell, Remember'd tolling a departing friend. "II Henry IV" (1.1.41-44)

Some good information about Shakespeare's "Othello" can be found on the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website. Students will find helpful the discussion of the term "tragedy", the significance of Othello's name, ... Read More

The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together: our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not; and our crimes would despair ... Read More

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear. "Romeo and Juliet" (1.5.40-41)

After a close examination of Shakespeare's writings, the Infectious Diseases Society of America has published an article suggesting that Shakespeare most likely had the dreaded venereal disease syphilis, and that ... Read More