Most
people know me as someone who tends to stumble across mysteries. That
reputation might be slightly exaggerated… although my boyfriend might disagree.
But
before the mysteries, before the investigations, and before I started noticing
suspicious details everywhere, I was simply an English as a foreign language
teacher.
These
days I’m back in the United States substitute teaching high school English
while helping my dad during his recovery. My current assignment involves
introducing a classroom full of teenagers to Shakespeare.
Now,
convincing high school students that Shakespeare is interesting can be a
challenge.
However,
I have discovered a strategy that works almost every time.
Shakespeare’s
insults.
The
moment students realize that Shakespeare wrote some of the most creative
insults in the English language, suddenly everyone is paying attention.
Since
we’re currently reading Much Ado About Nothing, my students have
been collecting their favorite lines from the play. Some of them are
surprisingly funny, and a few feel oddly useful in modern life.
Here
are a few of my favorites.
1. “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow
than a man swear he loves me.”
—
Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing
Beatrice
is famous for her sharp wit, and this line is one of the reasons why. My
students always laugh when they realize how blunt she is about romance.
2. “There was never yet philosopher that
could endure the toothache patiently.”
—
Leonato, Much Ado About Nothing
This
one isn’t exactly an insult, but it’s a great reminder that even the wisest
people have their limits, and my students like this line because it proves that
even philosophers complain sometimes.
3. “He is of a very melancholy disposition.”
— Hero, Much
Ado About Nothing
Shakespeare
had a very polite way of suggesting that someone might not be the most pleasant
person to be around.
4. “For man is a giddy thing, and this is my
conclusion.”
—
Benedick, Much Ado About Nothing
My
students love this line because it’s simple and surprisingly accurate about how
people can change their minds.
5. “Speak low if you speak love.”
— Don
Pedro, Much Ado About Nothing
This
line always sparks discussion in my classroom about secrets, misunderstandings,
and the trouble that can happen when people don’t tell the truth.
Teaching Much
Ado About Nothing has reminded me how much fun language can be. Words
reveal a lot about people. Sometimes they reveal emotions, motivations, and
occasionally even hidden truths.
And
sometimes the truth shows up when you least expect it.
In Lies
Are Better at the Lake, what begins as a peaceful return to my hometown
turns into something far more complicated. While substitute teaching and
helping my dad during his recovery, I expect life to be fairly quiet for a
while.
But
small towns have a way of holding onto old stories, old rivalries, and a few
secrets that people would rather keep buried.
When a
shocking death at the lake leaves the community whispering and searching for
answers, I can’t help noticing that some of the explanations don’t quite add
up.
And
once I start asking questions, the truth becomes harder and harder to ignore.
Let’s
just say that sometimes lies are better at the lake… at least until
someone starts looking a little too closely.
Which
brings me to my question for you.
 |
| Author Cindy Quayle |
I always enjoyed Shakespeare for his puns, but yes, his insults were amazing. “Thine face is not worth sunburning,” in Henry V, is excellent.
ReplyDeleteLol! :)
Delete