Searching for the right words this Valentine’s Day?
Shakespeare has a few one liners you can borrow.
When it comes to Shakespeare, he’s kind of the King of romantic things to say. What’s really surprising, is that he’s pretty good at one liners for those that aren’t looking to be romantic, either. From zingy declarations of proud singleness, to waxy poetic diatribes certain to warm the coldest of hearts, Shakespeare runs the gambit of emotional love struck one liners.
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My Shakespearean Valentine Story
It’s easy as a Shakespearean to think other people’s love stories are worthy of theater and stage performance. We recognize that it’s only teenagers who really think Romeo and Juliet had it right, and as a grown adult I find myself really much more preferring the love story of Henry and Katharine.
But what I discovered the other day is that my love story is Shakespearean. With all it’s imperfections, it’s a real love story.
Yours probably is, too.
You see, my husband and I have recently started being strategic about date nights. We want to be intentional with taking time for each other. It felt awkward at first because so much of our lives is changing the toilet paper roll, plunging a toilet, and cleaning up the new puppy’s “accident” for the 100th time that day. Not exactly “the stuff that dreams are made on.”
The same week I was quasi-looking forward to Valentine’s Day, feeling our planned “date night in” was really just this excuse to grill steak and watch a Humphrey Bogart movie, my mastermind group issued me a challenge.
I’m working on my email marketing, trying to create good resources people will use and that I also can use to grow my list. So I was researching romantic one liners for a Valentine’s Day gift. (Yes, the one that’s on this page).
What surprised me when I was researching this guide is that there are ALL KINDS of Shakespeare love quotes. It’s not all “I love thee.” And “Thou are the sun to my heart.” Those are there, but there are quotes from Shakespeare for the regular lovers, too. The people who change toilet rolls in the bathroom, with the tissue facing the RIGHT direction, and feel proud of themselves. There are Shakespearean love quotes for those people too.
I know, I didn’t believe it either until I found this one that is just perfect for my husband and I.
And, of course, the quotes for the love story that fits the Hallmark Card (or perhaps an episode of Grey’s Anatomy)
O, thou didst then never love so heartily! If thou rememb’rest not the slightest folly That ever love did make thee run into, Thou hast not lov’d;
-William Shakespeare, As You Like It [II, 4]
It was perfect! I showed it to my husband and he actually used the word “awesome.” It was so us! Love, real love, contains all kinds of slight follies. Like the toilet paper facing the wrong way. A cute new puppy making a mess in your room. Kids getting up a truly impressive 18 times before falling asleep. And I kid you not, I actually fussed (I’m so embarrassed about this) fussed out loud that HE had used the new Febreeze fragrance before I had a chance to use it on the closet. That’s how we knew I needed more coffee, a bubble bath, or perhaps a sedative. It was very late at night. Anyway. All of the follies that make up our lives, even the stupid moments we find ourselves standing in a closet fussing about someone else getting to use the febreeze, all of those are what help us build our love story. It was love that made us run into these follies. I would never, ever have these beautiful follies except that I have real love. Love worthy of Shakespeare. I know, because he wrote it. We aren’t Romeo and Juliet, or even Henry and Katharine. We are Tim and Cassidy. I love that. And my love story isn’t the only kind found in Shakespeare, either. There are quotes for the happy single people:“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” Much Ado About Nothing There are quotes for the bitter or jaded:
“Is love a tender thing? it is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.” Romeo and Juliet
“Live with me, and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove” The Passionate Pilgrim #18
Whatever your love story, you can find it represented in Shakespeare. Whether you’re changing out the toilet roll before grilling out steak in your pajamas and sitting down to a Humphrey Bogart film with a glass of grocery store wine (Like we are), or you’re going out on the town in a hot gown with a sharp dressed partner to match, or you and your cat are binging Grey’s because this is just another day of the week for you, you can be happy knowing that your story is worthy of the Shakespearean stage. Because if it’s one thing Shakespeare knows, it’s drama. We all have that. To celebrate our Shakespeareaness this Valentine’s Day, I’ve pulled together 141 of Shakespeare’s best declarations on Love from his plays to his sonnets. Some of them are passionate declarations of undying devotion, while others are subtle reminders to take the dog out before you lock the backdoor tonight. Personally, #29 is classic Will, but I don’t think you can go wrong with #8. Let me know which ones work best for you. Happy Valentine’s Day, you Shakespearean you. <3
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