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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
