You might be surprised that besides writing about romance, tragedy, and ghosts, Shakespeare also wrote some great passages describing food and drink. Below are some of my favorites (along with my charming commentary).
“The last taste of sweets is sweetest last.” ― Richard II
(I’m not sure what he means here. Is he telling us to eat sweets? No sweets? All the sweets?)
“They are all but stomachs, and we all but food.
To eat us hungerly, and when they are full,
They belch us.” ― Othello
(Eating us wasn’t bad enough? Then they have to be rude and belch?)
“Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour.” ― Richard II
(Now I’m in the mood for Sour Patch Kids.)
“Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers.” ― Twelfth Night
(Uh, William, a chef licking his fingers is a good way to fail a health inspection.)
“Good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used.” ― Henry V (And that creature’s name is Drunkor from the planet Saucedalot.)
“I am a great eater of beefd
and I believe that does harm to my wit.” ― Henry IV
(You should switch to chickend.)
“A man cannot make him laugh – but that’s no marvel; he drinks no wine.” ― As You Like It
(The guy doesn’t laugh and won’t drink? He’s not invited to my party.)
“Mine eyes smell onions; I shall weep anon.” ― Romeo and Juliet
(Mine nose sees pepper. I’m about to sneeze.)
“I would give all my fame for a pot of ale.” ― As You Like It
(Are we talking Angelina Jolie fame, Bernie Madoff fame? ‘Cause it makes a difference.)
“Give them great meals of beef and iron and steel, they will eat like wolves and fight like devils.” ― Henry V
(Are devils good fighters? They seem kind of scrawny. They always look like skinny little dudes running around with pitchforks.)
What are your favorite Shakespeare quotes? Let us know below!
