Shakespeare is famous for writing the best insults without using foul language! In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 3, Scene 2 is full of insults the four lovers hurl at one another.
What are some of your favorite insults from this scene? Why?
Can you use Shakespearean language to write your own insults?
Ryan G p6
ReplyDeleteMy favorite insults in a Midsummer Night's Dream are:
Demetrius:I would rather feed his carcass to my hounds.
Lysander: Out, you Ethiope!
Helena: You counterfeit, you puppet!
Hermia: You dark-skinned gypsy. You horrible poision.
All of these insults convey a message that cannot be expressed in today's modern cursing. They exemplify hatred that is different than name calling today.
My favorite insult is "Get you gone, you dwarf, you minimus of hindering knotgrass made, you bead. You acorn!" This translates into 'Get lost' you dwarf, you tiny little weed, you scrap, you acorn!' I really don't know why I like this insult. As for my own insult, 'I'll see thee hang'd, thou fool-born doghearted giglet!'
ReplyDeleteYuval S.
Period 3
Yuval - I <3 your insult! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWell Yuval kind of stole mine but my second would have to be Could not a worm, an adder, do so much?
ReplyDeleteAn adder did it, for with doubler tongue
Than thine, thou serpent, never adder stung. I think it's funny how Hermia calls Lysander a lying snake. Also, I think it's a pretty harsh insult though. As for my insult, I would have to say Thou art like the toad, ugly and venomous.
Rachel Newman
Pd3
My favorite insult is said by Hermia.
ReplyDelete"O me! [To Helena] You juggler, you cankerblossom,
You thief of love! What, have you come by night
and stol'n my love's heart from him?" (Act 3, scene 2. Lines 296-298)
I love this insult because Hermia is expressing her heartbreak in an angry fashion, but is able to make a valid point. Hermia believes that Helena has not only stolen the love of her life, but also tricked Lysander into loving her. Hermia also explains that Helena juggles from man to man(Lysander and Demetrius).
~Morgan Siskind, period 5
My favorite insult is one that Lysander says to Hermia: "Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! Vile thing, let loose, or I will shake the from me like a serpent."
ReplyDeleteI like it because of the whole situation of how Hermia is still clueless as to why Lysander suddenly left her for her best friend and calls her all of these nasty things and how she is not good enough.
Kalie Maniglia P.2
I don't really have a favorite insult by Shakespeare. I feel that each creative comeback that shakespeare comes up with is different in every way, depending on the situation that the character is in at the moment. I guess you could use Shakespeare's method to come up with insults, but depending on who you are using them on, they might be a little confused.
ReplyDeleteMeredith Sheldon
Period 3(:
I personally really liked "you minimus of hind'ring knotgrass made." Oh, and I thought it was funny that he called her an acorn, and that Hermia is so indignant about being called short. :)
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me, when we were in London, my mom wanted to buy fridge magnets with Shakespearean insults.
1) Where did my other comment go. I had a perfectly good comment and now its gone. And it wasn't just my imagination because I remember Mrs. Powers commenting on it.
ReplyDelete2) Thankfully, I saved my comment so I don't have to rewrite it. Sorry Cat, but I put that my favorite insult was the same as yours, but since you only commented yesterday and I commented a few days ago, i will not change it.
My favorite insult is "Get you gone, you dwarf, you minimus of hindering knotgrass made, you bead. You acorn!" This translates into 'Get lost' you dwarf, you tiny little weed, you scrap, you acorn!' I really don't know why I like this insult. As for my own insult, 'I'll see thee hang'd, thou fool-born doghearted giglet!'
Yuval S.
Period 3
All of those insults are funny. It seems as if Shakespeare has his own collection of 'special' insults. My favorite is "What hempen homespuns have we swaggering here?" This transelates to
ReplyDelete'Who are these country bumpkins swaggering around?'
Danielle May P. 3
LOL, I like Danielle's. :)
ReplyDelete