Bardisms: Shakespeare for All Occasions

Description

William Shakespeare's plays and poetry make up a vast repository of wit and wisdom, of insight and passion. For the momentous events in our lives--the ones that call for some memorable remarks or a great toast--the Bard is the perfect speechwriter. On any occasion, chances are there's a Shakespeare quote that's fitting. The challenge, of course, is finding the right one. Enter Barry Edelstein. One of the top Shakespeare directors and teachers in the country, he can help you pick the perfect "Bardism," pronounce it with style, and craft an elegant speech, talk, or missive around it. "Bardisms" provides the best of Shakespeare's wisdom, with passages that mark the special times as well as the everyday: A wedding vow: "To you I give myself, for I am yours." --"As You Like It" For your darling little girl: "You gods, look down / And from your sacred vials pour your graces / Upon my daughter's head." --"The Winter's Tale" Birthday greeting: "To me, fair friend, you can never be old;" --"Sonnet 104" Time to party: "Let's mock the midnight bell." --"Antony and Cleopatra" On reputation: "Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, / Is the immediate jewel of their souls." --"Othello" Edelstein takes the reader step by step through each Shakespeare quote, providing eminently helpful tips for speaking the lines like a pro. The book is organized chronologically, covering all stages of life--from childbirth to commencement, marriage, the workplace, old age, and all the significant events in between. "Bardisms" celebrates Shakespeare's genius with a wealth of fascinating tidbits about his life and times, his work and his art. Edelstein explores what it is about Shakespeare's writing that makes it so fitting for important moments: his perfect balance of wit and sentimentality; his boundless imagination; his ability to express emotion at its purest; and his talent for communicating a complex thought in vivid and energetic terms. Most of all, "Bardisms" makes Shakespeare infinitely more accessible, lending a freshness and vitality to his writing and fostering a new appreciation for its usefulness in our lives. For anyone struggling to come up with the perfect words, in any situation, "Bardisms" is the ultimate resource. Title Page Dedication Page Contents: “…And the Contents o’ th’ Story…” “We Will Have Such a Prologue…” “My Instructions May Be Your Guide” The Seven Ages of Man Chapter One Shakespeare on the Experience of Childbirth Shakespeare on Newborns Shakespeare on Daughters Shakespeare on Sons Shakespeare on Mothers Shakespeare on Fathers Shakespeare on Siblings Chapter Two Shakespeare on Children Shakespeare on School Shakespeare on the Commencement Address Shakespeare on Sports and Exercise Shakespeare on Holidays Chapter Three Shakespeare on Love Shakespeare to Say “I Love You” Shakespeare on Lovemaking Shakespeare on Getting Engaged Shakespeare on Weddings Shakespeare on Wedding Vows Shakespeare on Relationship Troubles Chapter Four Shakespeare on Soldiers Shakespeare on Reputation Shakespeare on Violent Confrontation Shakespeare on Winning and Losing Shakespeare on Motivating the Troops Shakespeare on Work Chapter Five Shakespeare on Middle Age Shakespeare on Justice Shakespeare on Witty People and Bores Shakespeare on Thanks Shakespeare on Apologies and Forgiveness Shakespeare on Parties Chapter Six Shakespeare on Old Age Shakespeare on Grandparenthood Shakespeare on Tributes Shakespeare on Health and Medicine Shakespeare on News Shakespeare on Weather Chapter Seven Shakespeare on Death Shakespeare on the Loss of Loved Ones Shakespeare on Memorials and Elegies Shakespeare on God, Spirituality, and Faith “I Have a Kind Soul That Would Give You Thanks” “…Index to the Story We Late Talked of” Index “If We Do Meet Again, Why We Shall Smile” “Is It a World to Hide Virtues In?” About the Author Also by Barry Edelstein Credits Copyright Notice About the Publisher