Last week, I went with the family I work for to Niagara on the Lake. We stayed in a beautiful house with 15 people for 5 days. It was crazy and wonderful and all that's in between. :) And I got to do a lot of reading by the pool... Yes, I have a pretty tough job.
One of the books I read was 'How Shakespeare Changed Everything' by Stephen Marche. I sat with my feet dangling in the warm water while the kiddos were swimming, and turned page after page til I was done- what an interesting read!
An extract... You should really read this, it's long (and I will try to shorten it), but had me in fits of giggles!
"If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It's Greek to me," you are quoting Shakespeare; if your lost property is vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have been tongue-tied, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise- why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and the truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, then- to give the devil his due- if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a doornail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then- by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness' sake! What the dickens! But me no buts- it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare."
Well, I hope I didn't bore you to tears. If you read this whole post, then I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. :) Or maybe I'm just a dork.
Hi, you have such a nice blog :) I love the rose background! Oh and I like reading too :) Wish I had more time to do it!
ReplyDeletexx Helmiina
Love the book extract! I think it's funny how lots of people think Shakespeare is 'like another language', when so many of our expressions come from his work! I was lucky enough to study Shakespeare at school, and even now I find it a lot easier to decipher his words.
ReplyDeleteI love that extract, and I love Shakespeare. I think it's funny how many of our expressions came from his work. :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos :)
ReplyDeletehttp://lajune16.blogspot.com/
Haha that's amazing. I say loads of those things!! I am therefore innately clever... ;) (and the picture at the bottom is hilarious!!) Gina X
ReplyDeleteHi there! Following you from the Aloha Friday blog hop! Look forward to reading more. Come on by and check out my blog! I would appreciate the follow back. Have an awesome weekend!
ReplyDelete-Kat
http://mom-uncensored.blogspot.com
lol, I read it all. And yep, I quote Shakespeare. ;)
ReplyDeleteShakespeare was a genius. I definitely 'laughed myself into stitches' at a couple bits of the extract.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your sweet comment on my blog :) Liora definitely isn't a common name- it means something like 'I have a light'. I like your blog, following you now. If you want to, will you follow me back?
xxLiora
lioraatsea.blogspot.com
Cheers to Shakespeare and to what sounds like the perfect summer day.
ReplyDeleteAloha,
Stopping by to say "HI" and to follow ya from The ALOHA Friday HOP!!! Thanks so much for sharing your aloha with us, it is so sweet to have you in the mix.
We're peeking in a New Zealand Mama's beach bag and giving away over $100 in Beach Beauty Awesomeness today-- come join us for the ride... you know, if you're feeling lucky. =)
Happy Weekend,
Nicole
localsugarhawaii.com
I LOVE Shakespeare. I was a theater major in school so I was lucky enough to get to explore a lot of his plays. I'll have to check out this book! Stopping by from the blog hop! Am now a new follower:) Would love if you could follow me back!
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nice photos, sounds like you had a great time there!! I haven't been to Niagara on the Lake for awhile now and would like to again soon..
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a GREAT book!! I think I'll have to take a look, I really enjoy Shakespeare! I didn't even know that I quote Shakespear ;P
ReplyDeleteOh I am a reader too! I am in 2 book clubs with friends and they would never consider reading something like Shakespeare...only the NY best sellers make the list..oh well..I read on my own.
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.