Pam Webb

Bard Bits: Shakespeare Said That?

William Shakespeare’s writing has provided some fairly memorable quotes, words, and expressions. While Billy Bard can take credit for most of what is tagged with his name, he doesn’t quite get all the credit.

Let’s play “How Well Do You Know Your Shakespeare?” You will be given two quotes. One or both quotes are presented. Decide which, or both, belong to Shakespeare.

1.A. “Bated Breath”
B. “Breathlessly Waiting”

2. A. “A Blinking Idiot”
B. “Foolish Ninny”

3. A. “Take Your Last Breath”
B. “Breathe One’s Last”

4.A. “Give Them An Inch”
B. “Budge An Inch”

5.A. “The Crack Of Dawn”
B. “The Crack of Doom”

6. A. “Kindness Is A Cruelty”
B. “Cruel To Be Kind”

7. A. “Fortune’s Fool”
B. “A Fool And Their Fortune Is Soon Parted”

1. “Bated Breath” from The Merchant of Venice, 1.3.115-116, 123-129
2. “A Blinking Idiot” also from The Merchant of Venice, 2.9.54-62
3. “Breathe’s One Last” from Henry VI, 5.2.39-42
4. “Budge an Inch” from Taming of the Shrew, induction.1.7-15
5. “The Crack of Doom” Macbeth, 4.1.112-117
6. “Cruel to be Kind,” Hamlet, 3.4.173-179
7. “Fortune’s Fool,” Romeo and Juliet, 3.1.132-136

Bonus:

Who said “A fool and his money (fortune) will soon be parted?

Answer: Dr. John Bridges from Defence of the Government of the Church of England, 1587

And what was your score?

Next time–sayings Shakespeare really, really did not say…