Shakespearean Insults for Every Situation

The History of Shakespearean Insults

Followers of William Shakespeare know that April 23rd is an important day used to celebrate the literary achievements and impact of the beloved playwright, poet, and actor. Over the course of two decades, Shakespeare wrote 37 plays that are praised for their ability to showcase the full range of the human experience. The histories, comedies, and tragedies he wrote have been performed around the world and are as relevant today as they were in the Elizabethan era. His work continues to fascinate the public, and in 2016 his first four folios were auctioned off for roughly $3.5 million.

While Shakespeare is best known for his literary legacy, he was not officially recognized for his artistic contributions until the 19th century. During this time, a newfound appreciation for his work was seen in both scholarship and theater. His plays were originally written to be performed on stage, which affected his literary choices and writing style. Today, his works are studied and reinterpreted in classrooms through dramatic performances and in modern day adaptations like West Side Story and Ten Things I Hate About You.

In addition to appreciating his literary contributions, Shakespeare enthusiasts understand and enjoy the snarky humor that is embedded in his work. His writing shows the power of language for its ability to make a statement and pack a punch. To celebrate  Shakespeare’s 454th birthday, we’ve compiled the best insults from some of his most famous works into a Shakespearean insult generator.


Shakespearean Insults
They have a plentiful lack of wit. — Hamlet

Publish Date: 1603

Hamlet


If thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them.

Publish Date: 1623

As You Like It


I must tell you friendly in your ear, sell when you can, you are not for all markets.

Publish Date: 1623

Timon of Athens


I do wish thou were a dog, that I might love thee something.

Publish Date: 1623

As You Like It


Sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens!

Away, you three-inch fool! — The Taming of the Shrew

Publish Date: 1623

Coriolanus


You abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone.

Publish Date: 1623

All’s Well That Ends Well


You are not worth another word, else I’d call you knave.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Sblood, you starveling, you elfskin, you dried neat’s tongue, you bull’s pizzle, you stockfish!

Publish Date: 1595

The Comedy of Errors


No longer from head to foot than from hip to hip. She is spherical, like a globe. I could find out countries in her.

Publish Date: 1623

Two Gentlemen of Verona


She hath more hair than wit, and more faults than hairs, and more wealth than faults.

Publish Date: 1597

Richard III


Thou lump of foul deformity.

It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. — Macbeth

Publish Date: 1888

The Taming Of The Shrew


Come, come, you froward and unable worms!

Publish Date: 1597

Richard III


Poisonous bunch-backed toad!

Publish Date: 1594

Titus Andronicus


Foul spoken coward, that thund’rest with thy tongue, and with thy weapon nothing dares perform.

Publish Date: 1597

Richard III


Thou slander of thy heavy mother’s womb, Thou loathèd issue of thy father’s loins.

Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood. — King Lear

Publish Date: 1623

As You Like It


Thou art like a toad; ugly and venomous.

Publish Date: 1623

Cymbeline


Thy tongue outvenoms all the worms of Nile.

Publish Date: 1623

Timon of Athens


I’d beat thee, but I should infect my hands.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Thou art a natural coward without instinct.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Peace, ye fat-guts!

Publish Date: 1599

Henry V


Thine face is not worth sunburning.

Thy sin’s not accidental, but a trade. — Measure for Measure

Publish Date: 1623

Coriolanus


They lie deadly that tell you you have good faces.

Publish Date: 1623

King John


Sell your face for five pence and ’tis dear.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Thou art as fat as butter.

Publish Date: 1623

As You Like It


Like the toad; ugly and venomous.

Thou art unfit for any place but hell. — Richard III

Publish Date: 1623

Macbeth


Thou cream faced loon.

Publish Date: 1599

Henry V


Thou damned and luxurious mountain goat.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


If the cook help to make the gluttony, you help to make the diseases.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


You scullion. You rampallian. You fustilarian. I’ll tickle your catastrophe.

Publish Date: 1623

The Winter’s Tale


My wife’s a hobby horse!

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Peace, ye fat-kidneyed rascal!

I do desire that we may be better strangers. — As You Like It

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Hang yourself, you muddy conger, hang yourself!

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


I scorn you, scurvy companion.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


What, you poor, base, rascally, cheating lack-linen mate! Away, you mouldy rogue, away!

Publish Date: 1623

Measure for Measure


O you beast! O faithless coward! O dishonest wretch!

Go, ye giddy goose. — Henry IV

Publish Date: 1608

King Lear


You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee. A tailor made thee.

Publish Date: 1608

King Lear


Thou whoreson zed, thou unnecessary letter!

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


A pox damn you, muddy rascal.

Publish Date: 1597

Richard III


Thou elvish-mark’d, abortive, rooting hog!

Publish Date: 1623

Macbeth


Go, prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, Thou lily-liver’d boy.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


There’s no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune.

I am sick when I do look on thee. — A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Publish Date: 1623

Measure for Measure


Thou art a flesh-monger, a fool and a coward.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen as you are toss’d with.

Publish Date: 1608

King Lear


Thou art the son and heir of a mongrel bitch.

Publish Date: 1623

Cymbeline


Thy tongue outvenoms all the worms of Nile.

Men from children nothing differ. — Much Ado About Nothing

Publish Date: 1609

Troilus and Cressida


Thou art as loathsome as a toad.

Publish Date: 1597

Richard III


Out of my sight! thou dost infect my eyes.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Setting thy womanhood aside, thou art a beast to say otherwise.

Publish Date: 1600

Much Ado About Nothing


You have such a February face, so full of frost, of storm and cloudiness.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


You basket-hilt stale juggler, you!

Publish Date: 1888

The Taming of the Shrew


There’s small choice in rotten apples.

A most notable coward, an infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise breaker, the owner of no one good quality. — All’s Well That Ends Well

Publish Date: 1623

Coriolanus


More of your conversation would infect my brain.

Publish Date: 1623

All’s Well That Ends Well


By mine honour, if I were but two hours younger, I’d beat thee.

Publish Date: 1623

Macbeth


You should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so.

Publish Date: 1622

Othello


Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.

A gentleman that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month. — Romeo and Juliet

Publish Date: 1623

The Two Gentlemen of Verona


You, minion, are too saucy.

Publish Date: 1623

Coriolanus


The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.

Publish Date: 1709

Henry IV


Why, thou clay brained guts, thou knotty pated fool, thou whoreson obscene greasy tallow catch!

Publish Date: 1623

Twelth Night


Have you no wit, manners, nor honesty, but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night.

Though Shakespeare is arguably one of the most famous writers of all time, he still remains a largely mysterious figure. By analyzing Shakespearean insults, we are able to learn a little more about the genius of the playwright and his impact on literature. His ability to craft tongue-in-cheek quips full of double meaning and literary merit is one of many reasons his works have such staying power.

The next time you’re looking for a witty put-down, consider using a Shakespearean insult to get your message across. His plays offer a wide array of inspiration, or you can create your own insult by using a combination of words frequently used in his works.

If you’re interested in building your own Shakespearean insult, check out the infographic below for inspiration:

Sources: Pangloss | No Sweat Shakespeare | Time Out | Lit Charts | Web.Mit.Edu | No Fear Shakespeare Hamlet | Shakespeare Online | No Fear Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet | No Fear Shakespeare Macbeth | Shakespeare Online | No Fear Shakespeare A Midsummer Night’s Dream | No Fear Shakespeare King Lear | No Fear Shakespeare As You Like It | No Fear Shakespeare Measure For Measure | No Fear Shakespeare Henry IV Part I | No Fear Shakespeare Henry IV Part II | No Fear Shakespeare The Taming of the Shrew | Independent | No Sweat Shakespeare | ShortList | Reader’s Digest | Buzzfeed | Shmoop | Bachelors Degree | Biography