Shakespeare's Humor

THE ALL-PURPOSE INSULT

Thou slander of thy heavy mother's womb! (Richard III, 1.3.230-31) Were I like thee I'd throw away myself. (Timon of Athens, III.4.100) You are as a candle, the better part burnt out. (Henry IV, Part 2,1.2.158-59) Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make / No excuse current but to hang thyself. (Richard III, 1.2.83-84)

BORE

Harp not on that string....(Richard III, IV.4.364) You cram those words into mine ears against / The stomach of my sense. (The Tempest, II.1.108-9) More of your conversation would infect my brain....(Coriolanus, II.1.88-89)

GET LOST

I thank you for your company, but, good faith, I had as lief have been myself alone. (AS You Like It, III.2.246-47) Direct thy feet / Where thou and I henceforth may never meet. (Twelfth Night, V.1.166-67) Go thou, and fill another room in hell. (Richard II, V.5.107) Away, you scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian! I'll tickle your catastrophe! (Henry IV, Part 2,II.1.57-58)

REPARTEE

PETRUCHIO. Nay, come, Kate, come, you must not look so sour. KATHERINA. It is my fashion when I see a crab. (The Taming of the Shrew, II.1.226-27) LUCIO....I know what I know. DUKE. I can hardly believe that, since you know not what you speak. (Measure for Measure, III 2.144-45) APEMANTUS. When I knew not what else to do, I'll see thee again. TIMON. When there is nothing living but thee, thou shalt be welcome. (Timon of Athens, IV.3.351-52)

STUPIDITY

AJAX. I shall cut out your tongue. THERSITES. 'Tis no matter; I shall speak as much as thou afterwards. (Troilus and Cressida, II.1.109.11) Thou has pared thy wit o' both sides and left nothing i'the middle. (King Lear, I.4.183)

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