Shakespeare’s insults were no slip of the tongue, they were carefully and cleverly crafted.
Along with writing some of the most famous quotes in literature, Shakespeare’s insults, put-downs and cussing were legendary, and with his insults, Shakespeare was certainly a master of his trade!
In preparation for Shakespeare Day 2022, why not download Gresswell’s FREE poster which includes a selection of short but fierce insults from the Bard. Designed to amuse and decorate your library or classroom, exploring insults can engage and familiarise pupils with the humour and delights of the old English language.
Gresswell’s Top 20 Shakespeare Insults
1. I am sick when I do look on thee – A Midsummer Nights Dream (Act 2, Scene 1)
2. More of your conversation would infect my brain – Coriolanus (Act 2, Scene 1)
3. Poisonous bunch back toad – Richard III (Act 1, Scene 3)
4. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes – Coriolanus (Act 5, Scene 4)
5. Thou art a boil, a plague sore – King Lear (Act 2, Scene 4)
6. Thou art as fat as butter – Henry IV Part 1 (Act 2, Scene 4)
7. Thou cream faced loon – Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 3)
8. You are as a candle, the better burnt out – Henry IV Part 2 (Act 1, Scene 2)
9. Thou crusty batch of nature – Troilus and Cressida (Act 5, Scene 1)
10. You have such a February face, so full of frost, of storm and cloudiness – Much Ado About Nothing (Act 5, Scene 4)
11. You are as a candle, the better burnt out – Henry IV Part 2 (Act 1, Scene 2)
12. Thou paper faced villain – Henry IV, Part 2 (Act 5, Scene 4)
13. I’ll beat thee, but I would infect my hands – Timens of Athens (Act 4, Scene 3)
14. Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon – Timon of Athens (Act 4, Scene 3)
15. You poor, base, rascally, cheating lack-linen mate – Henry IV Part II (Act 2, Scene 4)
16. Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon – Timon of Athens (Act 4, Scene 3)
17. Thine face is not worth sunburning – Henry V (Act 5, Scene 2)
18. Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad – Titus Andronicus (Act 4, Scene 3)
19. Like the toad, ugly and venomous – As You Like It (Act 2, Scene 1)
20. There’s no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune – Henry IV Part 1 (Act 3, Scene 3)
What's your favourite?
