Shakespearean Insults, Part 2

Because one wasn't enough

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“Come, come, you froward and unable worms!”
— William Shakespeare (The Taming of the Shrew)

As we established in Part 1, Shakespeare was a master at slinging insults, and he clearly had fun putting words in his characters’ mouths for the sake of vituperation.

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Shakespearean Insults, Part 1

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The last time, we ended with the Shakespeare Insult Generator. This time, at the conclusion or our second journey through jibes, you can find a link to an infographic of insults.

Once again, the inventive invective has been categorized into five sections to make it easy to scan.

I. Face-Off

In the first part, we looked at jibes at physical appearances. Now we get more personal as Shakespeare narrows in on facial features.

“Thine face is not worth sunburning.” — Henry V

“The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.” — Coriolanus

“You have such a February face, So full of frost, of storm, and cloudiness.” — Much Ado About Nothing

“Sell your face for five pence and ’tis dear.” — King John

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II. Cleanliness

In the Elizabethan era, lower-class citizens bathed only a few times a year. Therefore, insults related to hygiene were as much a statement on class as they were on cleanliness.

“Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon.” — Timon of Athens

“The rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril.” — The Merry Wives of Windsor

“I’ll beat thee, but I would infect my hands.” — Timon of Athens

“Thou damned and luxurious mountain goat.” — Henry V

“Thou art a Castilian King urinal!” — The Merry Wives of Windsor

“Thou odiferous stench” — King John