Tag Archives: William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Cursed Play Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 25, 2018
Imagine actors and stagehands working on a play with such a history of misfortune that they won’t even speak the play’s name. In fact, it is such a source of superstitious dread, that to even utter the play’s name in many theaters can get you banished from the building. Perhaps this would not matter so…
How to Insult Someone in English Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 11, 2018
We have a saying in English, “Don’t get mad, get even.” It means that if someone has upset you, or wronged you in any way, you shouldn’t get angry with them. Instead, you should do something that will make them even more upset at you. We have a word for that, too: one-upmanship. It is…
What is a Sonnet? Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 30, 2016
For centuries, great sonnets have epitomized what we mean when we speak of beautiful language. While it is easier to say what a sonnet is than it is to explain how one works, understanding the simple intricacies of the sonnet will put you well on the path to appreciating the possibilities of English words and…
What is a Limerick? Posted by Gary Locke on Aug 15, 2016
How about a little light verse? We compose certain rhymes just for fun. Some that won’t be too sad, sober, or glum. We just want to demonstrate wit, With meaning that isn’t worth spit. And so now that it’s writ, I’m done! That was a limerick. It is one of the most basic examples…
Who is Shakespeare? Posted by Gabriele on Mar 16, 2012
This is a very good question indeed; who is William Shakespeare? Some historians do not believe the writer we know of as Shakespeare truly wrote all of the works that are attributed to him or that he lived the life we ascribe* to him, but since some of these facts are still debated I will…