Bloodsparrow
First Post
There are a number of "Shakespearean Insult" generators on the internet. You can also find a printable version if you google that phrase. It basically consists of three lists of words, and is much like ordering from a traditional Chinese-American restaurant.
Pick one from each column and string them together.
That being said there are a number of books out there that deal specifically with the insults used in Shakespeare's plays appart from the "Column ABC" variety.
My two personal favorites are:
Shakespeare's Book of Insults, Insights and Infinite Jests (Paperback)
and
Shakespeare's Insults : Educating Your Wit
Both of my copies are in a box some where, so I'm only fairly certain when I say that I seem to remember the former book being better organized then the latter. But they are both quite good. "Educating Your Wit" seems to even have a new edition, so that's a good sign. and the author has also penned a book of Samuel Johnson's Insults (18th century, so probably still workable and just as biting... If not more so.) When I looked up "Educating Your Wit" on Amazon, It offered both the Shakespear's and the Johnson's books together for a discount. So there's a plus in its favor.
All that being said here are a few of my favorites. Both directly quoted and paraphrased.
"If you should steal away now, there would be honor in the theft."
"He hath not so much brains as ear wax."
"Ahhh! He wends the watch of his wit! Mark you, by and by it will strike."
"You are shallow, idle things... All of you."
"Go shake your ears!" (Like the "ass" that you are. As in donkey you know.)
Calling people a "Jackanape" is always fun. "Miscreant", is a good one too.
"I care not for you." Isn't flashy, but it's effective.
"Churlish" is another favorite. It means to be grumpy or abrasive.
And you can't talk about insults without mentioning King Lear, Act II, scene ii, when the Duke of Kent says...
Fellow, I know thee, I know thee for a knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats. A base, proud, shallow, beggardly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stockinged knave. A glass-gazing, superservisable, finical, rogue. A one trunk inheriting slave. One that would be a bawd in the way of good service; and art nothing but the combination of beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel B****! One who I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition.
Yes that's right, the "B-word", as in a female dog, is "period". Here's a link to that text online with footnotes on some of the more archaic words and phrases. Basicly, Kent is putting down a servent for "putting on airs" as it where.
Kent also goes on to say things like...
brazen-faced varlet
you rogue, you neat rogue
His countenance likes me not. (Which is a very classy way of saying, "Something about his face cheezes me off.)
I have seen better faces in my time than stands on any shoulder that I see before me at this instant.
I hope you find that helpful and entertaining.
Pick one from each column and string them together.
That being said there are a number of books out there that deal specifically with the insults used in Shakespeare's plays appart from the "Column ABC" variety.
My two personal favorites are:
Shakespeare's Book of Insults, Insights and Infinite Jests (Paperback)
and
Shakespeare's Insults : Educating Your Wit
Both of my copies are in a box some where, so I'm only fairly certain when I say that I seem to remember the former book being better organized then the latter. But they are both quite good. "Educating Your Wit" seems to even have a new edition, so that's a good sign. and the author has also penned a book of Samuel Johnson's Insults (18th century, so probably still workable and just as biting... If not more so.) When I looked up "Educating Your Wit" on Amazon, It offered both the Shakespear's and the Johnson's books together for a discount. So there's a plus in its favor.
All that being said here are a few of my favorites. Both directly quoted and paraphrased.
"If you should steal away now, there would be honor in the theft."
"He hath not so much brains as ear wax."
"Ahhh! He wends the watch of his wit! Mark you, by and by it will strike."
"You are shallow, idle things... All of you."
"Go shake your ears!" (Like the "ass" that you are. As in donkey you know.)
Calling people a "Jackanape" is always fun. "Miscreant", is a good one too.
"I care not for you." Isn't flashy, but it's effective.
"Churlish" is another favorite. It means to be grumpy or abrasive.
And you can't talk about insults without mentioning King Lear, Act II, scene ii, when the Duke of Kent says...
Fellow, I know thee, I know thee for a knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats. A base, proud, shallow, beggardly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stockinged knave. A glass-gazing, superservisable, finical, rogue. A one trunk inheriting slave. One that would be a bawd in the way of good service; and art nothing but the combination of beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel B****! One who I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition.
Yes that's right, the "B-word", as in a female dog, is "period". Here's a link to that text online with footnotes on some of the more archaic words and phrases. Basicly, Kent is putting down a servent for "putting on airs" as it where.
Kent also goes on to say things like...
brazen-faced varlet
you rogue, you neat rogue
His countenance likes me not. (Which is a very classy way of saying, "Something about his face cheezes me off.)
I have seen better faces in my time than stands on any shoulder that I see before me at this instant.
I hope you find that helpful and entertaining.
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