William Shakespeare

Shakespeare a Day 6

/ inkspeare
Portia

Image via Wikipedia

“The quality of mercy is not strain’d, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven, upon the place beneath: it is twice bless’d; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” (The Merchant of Venice)

Mercy – The definition of mercy according to the American Heritage Dictionary

  • Compassionate treatment of an offender, enemy, etc; clemency.
  • A disposition to be kind and forgiving.
  • A fortunate occurrence.

Are we merciful with ourselves or do we beat ourselves up with self-criticism about our lives and work?  Whether we are the ones who take or give, mercy knows no difference.  However, it is up to us to look inside and understand the part that takes and the part that gives, and upon that understanding we might be able then, to be more merciful to ourselves.  It is then, that Creativity  will flow.

Shakespeare a Day 5

/ inkspeare / 2 Comments
Shylock After the Trial, describing Act II, Sc...

Image via Wikipedia

“If you prick us, do we not bleed?  If you tickle us, do we not laugh?  If you poison us, do we not die?  And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”  (The Merchant of Venice)

I love this one a lot; it is full of emotion and force.  My interpretation out of context – Many things happen to us throughout our lifetime, sometimes not so good things.  Life is short or life is long, we never know until it is taken from us and we have to move on to other pastures.  However, we can learn to pick our battles, to react to what truly matters.  Many times, we lose precious time fighting or worrying about silly things,or about aggravations that do not deserve our time and concern.  I have learned to value my time on this planet, and to pick my battles.

Shakespeare a Day 4

/ inkspeare
Laura Hope Crews and John Drew in "Much A...

Image via Wikipedia

“Speak low, if you speak love.”  (Much Ado About Nothing)

This one certainly made me think.  Most times, when we are happily in love we want to scream it to the world.  We are so happy that we want to announce it.  Although, this is just a line that one of the characters was saying to another, and in tune with the scene, it makes you ponder a different meaning.

Sometimes, we are not so demonstrative of our love, but that does not diminish it.  We are “speaking low” the language of love.  Sometimes, a gentle and sweet demonstration of love and affection is just what we need.  Love has many frequencies.

Shakespeare a Day 3

/ inkspeare
President George W. Bush and President-elect B...

Image via Wikipedia

“Men at some time are masters of their fates; the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”  ( Julius Caesar)

Many times, we tend to take the easy road and blame others instead of taking responsibility for our actions.  Nobody likes to feel guilty, ashamed, a failure …  it is normal to want to feel good, even when feeling good will deny reality and will become an excuse to blame others.

We are masters of our fates … I truly believe that; however, I also believe in a higher purpose – the one designed for our spiritual and soul’s growth.  I believe that we are not underlings, subordinates, inferior, unless we allow ourselves to feel that way.

Obama’s State of the Union speech last night resonates to that truth.  As a nation we have to realize that each one of us has a life to live responsibly, and to show for, and many roles to play in it – father, mother, writer, daughter, son …  Each one of us has a responsibility to this nation, to the world, to the planet, to our jobs, our family, friends, and loved ones.  Blaming others and playing underlings roles is not the way the United States of America came to be.

Shakespeare a Day 2

/ inkspeare
Ludwig Devrient as King Lear, probably made fo...

Image via Wikipedia

“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!” – King Lear

This is the perfect quotation to illustrate the power of words, descriptive and emotional.  It lets you feel the type of rage and anger; you can picture the face turning red, ready to blow up in all kinds of verbal display, steamed up!

I love writing that brings up emotion.  Hope you enjoy today’s quotation.

Shakespeare a Day 1

/ inkspeare
Title page of the First Folio, 1623. Copper en...

Image via Wikipedia

For the next few days I will post one quote from Shakespeare’s plays daily.  For the first quote I have selected probably the most quoted of all.

“To be or not to be, that is the question…”

At one point or another, we have asked the same question ourselves.  In our search for identity, for belonging, for our life’s purpose, there are many things that we must be, or not, and in the end, only we have the answer(s).  To be , to have the courage to follow our path and do what we know we have to do.  Or to give into our fears and not to be, and never answer the question.  In the end, it is all up to us.