Barbs from the Bard : Shakespearean Insults with Modern Translations and Notes

by Shakespeare, William; Viner, Michael; Rudnicki, Stefan

• ISBN13: 9781893224209
• ISBN10: 1893224201
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: New Millenium

Summary

The well-aimed insult was never in better shape than when Shakespeare mastered the art of defining dramatic conflict with rapier wit rather than swordplay. This collection of some of the most cutting jeers and outrageous affronts ever spoken is more than a resource for just those moments that you do not want to slip by without comment. It is a joyful opportunity to become immersed in Shakespeare's world of words, when the pun was king and there existed layers upon layers of meaning in a single world.

Modern translations and explanatory notes are provided. Organized by subject, the insults can be found under the headings: the good, the bad, the ugly, the boring, the large, the small, the stupid, the many, the cowardly, the poorly dressed, and the married. Includes sections on curses and ways to say "go away". For all ages!

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Introduction	xi
Insults for...
The Good	1	(6)
The Bad	7	(12)
The Ugly	19	(8)
The Boring (And Otherwise Verbally Disadvantaged)	27	(12)
The Large	39	(6)
The Small, The Stupid (And Otherwise Insignificant)	45	(18)
The Many	63	(8)
The Cowardly	71	(6)
The Poorly Dressed (And Otherwise Over-Or Underdecorated)	77	(8)
The Married	85	(6)
General Abuse	91	(8)
Curses and Imprecations	99	(6)
The Long Good-Bye	105