This thread of Shakespeare’s best (and strangest) insults is a proper treat
8.
19) “I think thy horse will sooner con an oration than thou learn a prayer without book.”
~Troilus and Cressida20) “Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate.”
~Measure for Measure21) “Let’s meet as little as we can.”
~As You Like It— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) April 23, 2024
9.
22) “[Your] brain is as dry as the remainder biscuit after voyage.”
~As You Like It23) “Some report a sea-maid spawn’d him; some that he was begot between two stock-fishes. But it is certain that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice.”
~Measure for Measure— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) April 23, 2024
10.
24) “He has not so much brain as ear-wax.”
~Troilus and Cressida25) “Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood.”
~King Lear26) “Sell your face for five pence and ’tis dear.”
~King John— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) April 23, 2024
11.
27) “Thine face is not worth sunburning.”
~Henry V28) “I do wish thou were a dog, that I might love thee.”
~Timon of Athens29) “This kiss is as comfortless as frozen water to a starved snake.”
~Titus Andronicus— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) April 23, 2024
12.
30) “Thou crusty batch of nature!”
~Troilus and Cressida31) “Away thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant.”
~The Taming of the Shrew32) “A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen as you are toss’d with.”
~Henry IV, Part 1— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) April 23, 2024
13.
33) “Drunkenness is his best virtue, for he will be swine drunk, and in his sleep he does little harm, save to his bedclothes about him.”
~All’s Well That Ends Well34) “A rare parrot-teacher!”
~Much Ado About Nothing35) “Thou lump of foul deformity!”
~Richard III— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) April 23, 2024
There are lots more in the thread over here, although it would be remiss not to include this final fling.
And, to end, a bonus classic from Titus Andronicus: pic.twitter.com/RMf9a7kwMc
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) April 23, 2024
Oof.
And it turned out one of them was very much still enjoyed today in one particular part of the world.
This one tooketh off in New Zealand in the 1980s. https://t.co/1KZbkgpNCQ
— Jemaine Clement (@AJemaineClement) April 24, 2024
I DID NOT KNOW THE CLASSIC KIWI SCHOOLGROUND INSULT WAS SHAKESPEARE https://t.co/yCeEtNCshm
— Paul Brislen (@PaulBrislen) April 23, 2024
When I moved to Aotearoa as a 12 year old and starting learning English through total immersion of the playground variety, I learned that “you egg” was a much loved Kiwi insult.
Never occurred to me it was Shakespeare in action! https://t.co/a5oeDPYDiw
— Maz Jovanovich (@maz_jovanovich) April 24, 2024
To conclude …
Outstanding thread. Give yourself a treat & have a look. Shakespeare was the absolute best https://t.co/o9Vfulqktu
— Phil Veacock (@PhilVeacock) April 24, 2024
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