William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, is lauded for his eloquent language and profound insight into the human condition. However, amidst the tragedy and drama, Shakespeare infused his work with humor and wit. Within this article, we delve into ten subcategories of Shakespeare's funniest quotes—each accompanied by twelve examples. Whether you're a literature enthusiast or a curious reader, this compilation promises a delightful journey through the lighter side of Shakespearean writing.
Comedic Characters Quotes
"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." - Twelfth Night
"The better part of valour is discretion." - Henry IV, Part 1
"I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men." - Henry IV, Part 2
"I do desire we may be better strangers." - As You Like It
"He hath eaten me out of house and home." - Henry IV, Part 2
"Lord, what fools these mortals be!" - A Midsummer Night's Dream
"I'll speak in a monstrous little voice." - A Midsummer Night's Dream
"The world is grown so bad that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch." - Richard III
"Thou art as fat as butter." - Henry IV, Part 1
"This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peck up peas." - Love's Labour's Lost
"He that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colors." - Twelfth Night
"Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage." - Twelfth Night
Romantic Blunders Quotes
"Speak low if you speak love." - Much Ado About Nothing
"Men have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them, but not for love." - As You Like It
"The course of true love never did run smooth." - A Midsummer Night's Dream
"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." - A Midsummer Night's Dream
"He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat." - Much Ado About Nothing
"If love's a sweet passion, why does it torment?" - The Fun of the Fair
"This is the very ecstasy of love." - Hamlet
"Whoever loved that loved not at first sight?" - As You Like It
"They do not love that do not show their love." - Two Gentlemen of Verona
"If music be the food of love, play on." - Twelfth Night
"Come what sorrow can, it cannot countervail the exchange of joy." - Romeo and Juliet
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." - All’s Well That Ends Well
Misunderstood Messages Quotes
"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." - Hamlet
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks." - Hamlet
"Brevity is the soul of wit." - Hamlet
"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." - As You Like It
"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late." - The Merry Wives of Windsor
"There's small choice in rotten apples." - The Taming of the Shrew
"Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows." - The Tempest
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves." - Julius Caesar
"I am one who loved not wisely but too well." - Othello
"Expectation is the root of all heartache." - All's Well That Ends Well*
"There's many a man hath more hair than wit." - The Comedy of Errors
"O, that way madness lies; let me shun that." - King Lear
Outrageous Insults Quotes
"You starveling, you eel-skin, you dried neat’s tongue, you bull’s pizzle." - Henry IV, Part 1
"Thou art a boil, a plague sore." - King Lear
"Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb!" - Richard III
"More of your conversation would infect my brain." - Coriolanus
"Thy tongue outvenoms all the worms of Nile." - Cymbeline
"Peace, ye fat guts!" - Henry IV, Part 1
"Away, you three-inch fool!" - The Taming of the Shrew
"Your brain is as dry as the remainder biscuit after voyage." - As You Like It
"I was seeking for a fool when I found you." - As You Like It
"You rampallion! You fustilarian!" - Henry IV, Part 2
"Thou sodden-witted lord! Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows." - Troilus and Cressida
"Villain, I have done thy mother." - Titus Andronicus
Silly Wisdom Quotes
"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." - As You Like It
"All that glitters is not gold." - The Merchant of Venice
"An overflow of good converts to bad." - King John
"O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! And yet again wonderful!" - As You Like It
"Sweet are the uses of adversity." - As You Like It
"All’s Well that Ends Well.” - Title of a play, indicating a light-hearted resolution
"We came into the world like brother and brother, and now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another." - Comedy of Errors
"Forever and a day." - As You Like It
"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come." - The Merchant of Venice
"It is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love." - As You Like It
"The art of our necessities is strange that can make vile things precious." - King Lear
"For ever and a day." - As You Like It
The Fools' Folly Quotes
"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." - As You Like It
"He uses his folly like a stalking-horse, and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit." - As You Like It
"Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo! O word of fear, threatening the southern bird!" - Love's Labour's Lost
"A fool and his words are soon parted." - All’s Well That Ends Well
"A fool has no dialogue; he just waits." - As You Like It
"He hath ever but slenderly known himself." - King Lear
"He wears his folly like a piece of armor." - Much Ado About Nothing
"There’s no more fools in town but thee and I." - The Taming of the Shrew
"O fool, fool, fool!" - King Lear
"I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw." - Hamlet
"The more fool I." - Much Ado About Nothing
"For what is broach’d, we have the bottle and the wine to seal the bung-hole." - Measure for Measure
Witty Wordplay Quotes
"I do desire we may be better strangers." - As You Like It
"He hath eaten me out of house and home." - Henry IV, Part 2
"Lord, what fools these mortals be!" - A Midsummer Night's Dream
"I'll speak in a monstrous little voice." - A Midsummer Night's Dream
"The wheel is come full circle: I am here." - King Lear
"Tis known by the name of woman." - The Taming of the Shrew
"I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed!" - Merchant of Venice
"Make the doors upon a woman's wit, and it will out at the casement; shut that, and 'twill out at the keyhole." - As You Like It
"If it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive." - Henry V
"He hath a heart as sound as a bell." - Much Ado About Nothing
"He is wit's pedler, and retails his wares at wakes and wassails." - Love’s Labour’s Lost
"I’ll not budge an inch." - Taming of the Shrew
Fanciful Rhetoric Quotes
"The purest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation." - Richard II
"He jests at scars that never felt a wound." - Romeo and Juliet
"Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall." - Measure for Measure
"Let me be that I am and seek not to alter me." - Much Ado About Nothing
"Anticipation is high: Dreams on dreams and force on force." - All's Well That Ends Well
"Words without thoughts never to heaven go." - Hamlet
"How poor are they that have not patience!" - Othello
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." - Hamlet
"So wise so young, they say, do ne’er live long." - Richard III
"It was a lover and his lass with a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino." - As You Like It
"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo." - Romeo and Juliet
"True is it that we have seen better days." - As You Like It
Laugh Lines Quotes
"Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage." - Twelfth Night
"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." - Twelfth Night
"If this were play'd upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction." - Twelfth Night
"What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see she is your treasure, she must have a husband. I must dance barefoot on her wedding day, and for your love to her lead apes in hell." - Taming of the Shrew
"Nay then, let the devil wear black, for I’ll have a suit of sables." - Hamlet
"Come thou, mortal wretch." - Antony and Cleopatra
"O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful!" - As You Like It
"Methinks the lady doth protest too much." - Hamlet
"The better part of valour is discretion." - Henry IV, Part 1
"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." - Hamlet
"Now is the winter of our discontent." - Richard III
"Let them call it mischief; when it is past and prospered, it shall be virtue." - Othello
Riddles and Rhymes Quotes
"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." - Romeo and Juliet
"All's well that ends well." - Title of a play
"What's done is done." - Macbeth
"True is it that we have seen better days." - As You Like It
"If music be the food of love, play on." - Twelfth Night
"Words, words, words." - Hamlet
"What light through yonder window breaks?" - Romeo and Juliet
"To thine own self be true." - Hamlet
"The game is up." - Cymbeline
"All the world’s a stage." - As You Like It
"The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose." - The Merchant of Venice
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." - All’s Well That Ends Well
Final words
Shakespeare's works are a treasure trove of literary brilliance, combining eloquent prose with an astute sense of humor that remains relevant even today. Through the quotes explored, we've witnessed the Bard's ability to blend wit with wisdom, using comedic elements to reflect on life's ironies and absurdities. These quotes are a testament to the timeless appeal of Shakespeare's craft, showcasing his unparalleled skill in capturing the complexities of human behavior through humor. Whether engaging in witty wordplay, casting light on romantic follies, or indulging in fanciful rhetoric, Shakespeare’s comedic genius shines brightly, offering insights and amusement in equal measure. As you peruse these lines, perhaps you'll find that laughter, indeed, is the best medicine—something Shakespeare himself might have advocated as he infused comedy into the world's stage. Let his words continue to entertain, captivate, and inspire us, reminding us that even in the realms of classical drama, humor has a profound place, whispering truths beneath its playful guise.
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