Today is William Shakespeare’s birthday. The Bard of Avon, whose words expressed the joys and tragedies of humanity, our gratitude…
“As an unperfect actor upon the stage
Who with much fear is put besides his part
Or some fierce thing, replete with too much rage
Whose strengths abundance weakens his own heart
So I, for fear of trust, forget to say
The perfect ceremony of love’s rite
And in mine own love’s strength seem to decay
O’ercharged with burthen of my own love’s might
o, let my books be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast
Who plead for love, and look for recompense
More than that tongue that more hath express’d.
O, learn to read what silent love hath writ
To hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit.”
William Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s Sonnets
On The Road Book Club 
Ahh yes Shakespeare. Henry V formed an early education for me, made no less by Branagh’s version. Have you seen his version of Hamlet?
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I thought Kenneth Branagh was brilliant in Hamlet. And the change in time and setting added an innovative touch/nuance! Did you see Marlon Brando’s Mark Anthony?
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Is there an author more quoted–I doubt it! He teaches us a lot about life. Great insight into human behavior!
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I agree – I think that this quote fits him very nicely.
“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
― William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
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I read this one only the other day, and it had never registered before … and now here it is again!
His sonnets open his soul to us… I love them… and that last line – ‘ to hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit’ – exquisite….
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Well said, and as William would say…
“All’s well if all ends well.”
― William Shakespeare
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He never fails to provide inspiration! Many of his quotations are permanently imbedded in my brain. Lucky brain & happy birthday William!
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You are so right. Permanently embedded. This is one of my favourites.
“From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”
― William Shakespeare, Henry V
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Apparently it was used by a number of officers to hearten their men as they approached the beaches on D-Day…
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The words are magnificent! I have always liked Kenneth Branagh’s rendition.
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So wonderful of you to celebrate it! We owe so much to him! Happy Birthday indeed 🙂
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I cannot imagine life without our dear Shakespeare. I recently read Peter Ackroyd’s biography. Not only was he a literary genius, but he was an excellent business man.
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