Amanda's Shakespeare Blog April 2005 Archive

Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch; Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth; Between two blades, which bears the better temper; Between two horses, which doth bear him best; Between two ... Read More

Hamlet is Shakespeare's most popular play and required reading for most high school students in North America and Britain. We are all familiar with the story of the Prince of ... Read More

Here is a clever way to introduce babies to sophisticated poetry and teach them patterns of speech. Read on...

On April 26, 1564, the baptism of "Gulielmus filius Johannes Shakspere" is recorded in the register of the Holy Trinity Parish Church, in Stratford-upon-Avon. More on Shakespeare's life...

Where the bee sucks, there suck I In a cowslip’s bell I lie; There I couch when owls do cry. On the bat’s back I do fly After summer merrily: Merrily, merrily ... Read More

Although the exact date of Shakespeare's birth cannot be confirmed, the consensus is that Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564. Shakespeare was born in a small English town ... Read More

Shakespeare created eight physicians, only four of whom are named: Cornelius ("Cymbeline"), Cerimon ("Pericles"), Butts ("Henry VIII"), and Caius ("The Merry Wives"). Find out more here.

Our comprehensive list of Shakespeare's characters and the play or poem in which each one can be found. Characters who do not have any lines but are mentioned in the ... Read More

You have too much respect upon the world: They lose it that do buy it with much care. "The Merchant of Venice" (1.1.76-7)

Important facts about British monarchs from the Houses of Normandy, Angevin, Plantagenet, Lancaster, York, Tudor, and Stuart. Let's begin with William I.

There Shakespeare, on whose forehead climb The crowns o’ the world; oh, eyes sublime With tears and laughter for all time! Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861), "A Vision of Poets" Here is our selection of ... Read More

True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. "King Richard III" (5.2.25-6)

Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, and Puck? Take our quiz and identify the character who doesn't belong. Good luck!

There's husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out. (2.1.4) Read on...

Is it not strange that desire should so many yearsoutlive performance? "2 Henry IV" (2.4.247-8), Poins speaking to Hal about Falstaff

The classification of the "seven deadly sins" dates back to as early as the 6th century, when they were first grouped together by St. Gregory the Great, Pope from 590-604. ... Read More

From Elizabeth I to Ben Jonson, Shakespearean England was a treasure-trove of historical giants. It was hard to choose, but here is a list of those five contemporaries of the ... Read More