The Shakespeare Challenge

I recently set up a webpage on redroom (http://www.redroom.com/member/hedgewriter).  

A blog challenge was issued and I took the bait.  What would Shakespeare blog?  I took Shakespeare quotes, sprinkled in words here and there, and here’s the final result:

The Bard’s Blog  

To blog or not to blog, that is the question.   I have taken a lean and hungry look and my heart hath said, be not afraid.  Here’s ado to lock up honesty.  Here lies a king of infinite space.  Here in this new world, I may be as constant as the northern star.  Here is where I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you.   A feast of languages lay before me.  So here I shall blog, tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.   There shall never be a long farewell to all my greatness.

The Worm Turns – Old Proverbs and Shakespeare

Elisabeth Tuck and I,  as well as several other Writers on the Journey members were at a workshop held by the Mount Diablo branch of the California Writer’s Club.  Someone used the phrase “the worm turns.”  Elisabeth grew curious about the saying and looked up the origin and meaning of this old proverb.  I am always amazed at the reach of Shakespeare’s words.

THE WORM TURNS – “Someone previously downtrodden gets his revenge; an unfavorable situation is reversed. The saying represents an evolution of the old proverb, ‘Tread on a worm and it will turn.’ The meaning was that even the most humble creature tries to counteract rough treatment. Shakespeare picked up the thought in Henry VI, Part 3, where Lord Clifford urges the king against ‘lenity and harmful pity, saying: Henry VI, Part 3, where Lord Clifford urges the king against ‘lenity and harmful pity, saying:

To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?

Not to the beast that would usurp their den.
The smallest worm will turn being trodden on,
And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood.”