Monday 23 April 2012

Happy birthday, big boy!

Today is not only Saint George's Day (watch out any dragons reading this blog!) but also the birthday of the main man, William Shakespeare!


He would have been 448 today and he's looking pretty good at that!  As you can tell, I'm his number one fan, as I think his plays are absolutely awesome (except 'Troilus and Cressida' but everyone's allowed to have an off day) but maybe you're nor convinced about his importance.
Have you ever said about someone that her makeup was laid on with a trowel, that a child - or visitor - is eating me out of house and home, or said you can picture something in my mind's eye? If so, then you're repeating expressions which Shakespeare crafted over four hundred years ago!  One that I hear on the news regularly whenever something awful happens, is that it beggars belief, and usually it does.  Some more popular epressions are flesh and blood, neither a borrower nor a lender be, a ministering angel, the green eyed monster, every dog shall have his day, it was all Greek to me, and the one oft heard in childbirth when an episiotomy is required, the unkindest cut of all!  And of course, the one expression dear to all our hearts, shreds and patches!  Happy birthday, Will!

3 comments:

Millie said...

I never forget which is the Bard's birthday because it's my son's birthday today as well. Happy Birthday Will (and sweetie.)

Vicky F said...

Interesting post. I always thought Benjamin Franklin (of the colonies) said "neither a borrower or a lender be", but of course Will has him by a few hundred years!
Vicky F

Liz said...

I caught some of a TV programme yesterday showing how much his plays are enjoyed all over the world, Africa, Lithuania. Amazing influence.