Shakespeare Phrases And Historical allusions

Shakespearan Phrases often Alluded to

“To be, or not to be” (Hamlet)

Questioning existence and the nature of life and death

“All that glitters is not gold”(The Merchant of Venice

Appreances can be deceptive

“The world’s a stage” (As You Like It)

Life as a performance, roles people play

“Parting is such sweet sorrow”(JRomeo and Juliet)

Bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye.

“Et tu, Brute?”(Julius Ceasar)

Betrayal by a trusted friend

“A dish fir for the gods”(Julius Ceasar)

Something of supreme quality

“Double, double toil and trouble”(Macbeth)

Brewing trouble or chaos

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (Hamlet)

Suspicion of corruption or decay

“Neither rhyme nor reason” (The Comedy of Errors)

Lack of logic or sense

“Good riddance to bad rubbish(King Lear)

Glad to be rid of something unwanted

“Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve” (Othello

showing feelings openly

“Break the ice”(The Taming of the Shrew)

To initiate social interaction

Wild

goose chase(Romeo and Juliet)

Green

eyed monster

“Too much of a good thing”(As you like it)

excess is harmful

Historical Allusions

Waterloo

Decisive or crushing defeat

Alamo

Last stand or heroic defense

Trojan Horse

Deceptive trick or hidden threat

Spartacus

Rebellion against oppression

Nero

Tyranny or neglectful ruler

Joan of Arc

Courageous, divinely inspired leader

Maginot Line

False sense of security

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Liberation and reunification

Salem Witch Trials

Mass hysteria and injustice

D

Day