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Bardisms: Shakespeare for All Occasions
“Browse the delightful Bardisms to find a fitting quote for any mood, moment, or occasion. But read it through to learn how to enjoy Shakespeare and bring more of his language into your daily life.” — Jacob Weisberg, Editor of Slate magazine and author of Bushisms “A fantastic reference for anyone who loves Shakespeare!” — Steve Martin From renowned Shakespearean director Barry Edelstein comes Bardisms : a straightforward, accessible guide to using Shakespeare’s wit and wisdom at special occasions of every type. Over the course of his career, Edelstein has directed more than half of Shakespeare’s plays, and he brings all his passion, insight, and years of study to Bardisms . In the words of Adam Gopnik ( Through the Children's Gate ), “Barry Edelstein knows more about Shakespeare, and in a less pedantic manner, than nearly anyone I know.”
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2009
112 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 4, 2009
shakespeare for the extremely short attention spanned. i read this book entirely on the toilet, and it still only took me a couple of weeks. but there's some good nuggets in there. the book, i mean.
October 6, 2012
This book is worth a read for the Shakespeare challenged reader. Barry gives instruction on how to read Shakespeare as well as breaking it down so that it becomes more understandable. I wished it had been around for when I had to read some Shakespeare in college. It is definitely NOT a stuffy read but a fun one with amusing antidotes and situations. An enjoyable read even for those not into non-fiction books (although it may take longer to read because one wants to make sure they learn from it too! - Fictional books occasionally got in my way of reading "Bardisms")
May 3, 2017
I don't "do" public speaking, and I mean none, I don't give speeches, make toasts, say grace, or even sing along with Happy Birthday. I am a crabby curmudgeon. So the part of this book providing quotes for doing that was pointless for me. And it was even annoying, because he blithely recommends substituting names and swapping genders to make the quote "fit" the situation. That is not quoting Shakespeare, that is bowdlerizing Shakespeare to be cute or heartwarming or whatever and it would annoy the crap out of me (curmudgeon, remember) if I was present to hear it. But putting that aside, this book was interesting to read. Bary Edelstein teaches and directs Shakespeare and is good at translating and expounding on his choices of quotes. Lots of fine tidbits to be had. I'm sure I'll reference it again.
May 27, 2022
This book is a mark of respect to the personage who introduced nearly 3,000 words into the English language.
Additionally, his works, which were often quoted, became such humdrum that they helped set the standards for Modern English.
Prior to him, English grammar and spelling had few standards. In addition, many of his expressions are universally used to this date.
Here is a man who in all of his work - the plays, the sonnets and the narrative poems - uses 17,677 words. Of those, 1,700 were first used by the man himself.
The English language has been in unvarying changeover all the way through its history, but the most momentous renovation in modern English can be credited to William Shakespeare.
With Shakespeare’s contraption of frequently used expressions, his creation of new words, and his use of iambic pentameter, he was able to affect the language in a way that no person since has.
His influence on modern English is not only observable in daily speech, but also in the fact that his work has survived over four hundred years and it continues to be performed and read worldwide.
In this breathtaking tome, the author presents the Bard’s quotations in jagged chronological life order, as organized by the categories in one of the most celebrated of all Shakespearean speeches: the “Seven Ages of Man,” from As You Like It.
Thus, Chapter One, “At First, the Infant,” embraces Shakespeare on the occasions of birth and the subject of family.
Chapter Two, “Then the Schoolboy,” presents Shakespeare for life occasions related to youth, education, recreation, and holidays.
Chapter Three, “And Then the Lover,” contains material on love, courtship, marriage, and weddings.
Chapter Four, “Then a Soldier,” considers Shakespeare for martial occasions, plus those of our professional years, such as work, disagreements, reputations, winning, and losing.
Chapter Five, “And Then the Justice,” includes junctures on which the Justice described in the “Seven Ages” would be alive with opinions: middle age, drollness, tedium, appreciation, apologies, and parties.
Chapter Six, “The Lean and Slippered Pantaloon,” mines Shakespeare’s thoughts on the issues of old age: giving up work, fitness and medicine, grandparenthood, and so forth.
In conclusion, Chapter Seven, “Mere Oblivion,” focuses on how Shakespeare views the occasions of life’s closing phase, including death, funerals, memorials, and the loss of loved ones.
Each chapter opens with a close reading of the appropriate lines from the “Seven Ages of Man,” along with several observations on what they can add to our admiration of the phase of life they survey.
Throughout the length and breadth of this book, I was reminded constantly of ‘The Story of English’ by Bernard Levin, wherein he writes -- “if the reader cannot understand my argument, and declares ‘It's Greek to me’, you are quoting Shakespeare” ------if one recalls his salad days, he is quoting Shakespeare; if one acts more in sorrow than in anger, if his wish is father to the thought, if his lost property has vanished into thin air, he is quoting Shakespeare; if a man has been tongue-tied, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), if he has seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise – Shakespeare is alive again…”
A wonderful feast for a Shakespeare aficionado!
Additionally, his works, which were often quoted, became such humdrum that they helped set the standards for Modern English.
Prior to him, English grammar and spelling had few standards. In addition, many of his expressions are universally used to this date.
Here is a man who in all of his work - the plays, the sonnets and the narrative poems - uses 17,677 words. Of those, 1,700 were first used by the man himself.
The English language has been in unvarying changeover all the way through its history, but the most momentous renovation in modern English can be credited to William Shakespeare.
With Shakespeare’s contraption of frequently used expressions, his creation of new words, and his use of iambic pentameter, he was able to affect the language in a way that no person since has.
His influence on modern English is not only observable in daily speech, but also in the fact that his work has survived over four hundred years and it continues to be performed and read worldwide.
In this breathtaking tome, the author presents the Bard’s quotations in jagged chronological life order, as organized by the categories in one of the most celebrated of all Shakespearean speeches: the “Seven Ages of Man,” from As You Like It.
Thus, Chapter One, “At First, the Infant,” embraces Shakespeare on the occasions of birth and the subject of family.
Chapter Two, “Then the Schoolboy,” presents Shakespeare for life occasions related to youth, education, recreation, and holidays.
Chapter Three, “And Then the Lover,” contains material on love, courtship, marriage, and weddings.
Chapter Four, “Then a Soldier,” considers Shakespeare for martial occasions, plus those of our professional years, such as work, disagreements, reputations, winning, and losing.
Chapter Five, “And Then the Justice,” includes junctures on which the Justice described in the “Seven Ages” would be alive with opinions: middle age, drollness, tedium, appreciation, apologies, and parties.
Chapter Six, “The Lean and Slippered Pantaloon,” mines Shakespeare’s thoughts on the issues of old age: giving up work, fitness and medicine, grandparenthood, and so forth.
In conclusion, Chapter Seven, “Mere Oblivion,” focuses on how Shakespeare views the occasions of life’s closing phase, including death, funerals, memorials, and the loss of loved ones.
Each chapter opens with a close reading of the appropriate lines from the “Seven Ages of Man,” along with several observations on what they can add to our admiration of the phase of life they survey.
Throughout the length and breadth of this book, I was reminded constantly of ‘The Story of English’ by Bernard Levin, wherein he writes -- “if the reader cannot understand my argument, and declares ‘It's Greek to me’, you are quoting Shakespeare” ------if one recalls his salad days, he is quoting Shakespeare; if one acts more in sorrow than in anger, if his wish is father to the thought, if his lost property has vanished into thin air, he is quoting Shakespeare; if a man has been tongue-tied, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), if he has seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise – Shakespeare is alive again…”
A wonderful feast for a Shakespeare aficionado!
October 9, 2022
Useful Guide to Shakespeare Quotes
This guide is well organized by topic, allowing the reader to select an appropriate quote for almost any occasion. The author also explains the meaning and indicates how the quote might be used. Shakespeare can be inscrutable to those who are not scholars, so it’s quite handy to know what Shakespeare’s language actually meant!
This guide is well organized by topic, allowing the reader to select an appropriate quote for almost any occasion. The author also explains the meaning and indicates how the quote might be used. Shakespeare can be inscrutable to those who are not scholars, so it’s quite handy to know what Shakespeare’s language actually meant!
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July 17, 2016
"Bardisms: Shakespeare for All Occasions" by Barry Edelstein published in 2009 explains techniques which can be used to explore the brilliance of Shakespeare's writings. Edelstein's reading techniques include methods for understanding verses, listening to vowel sounds that convey emotions and emphasis, and ways to use syllables for cadence and alliteration. The techniques greatly improved my understanding of Shakespeare's enduring wisdom. This is an exceptional book written by an accomplished theatre director and scholar.
April 12, 2014
Some insight to everyday usage of Shakespearean quotes. Kind of limited in scope since the author wanted this book to appeal to a wider audience. One needn't be completely cerebral to understand the meanings of the quotes; Edelstein generally picks an easily decipherable quote. Even if there's still some question as to the language, the writer includes a synopsis put into everyday language.
December 14, 2013
A good snippet-by-snippet intro to Shakespeare at his most quotable, with plenty of advice on oral delivery and handy commentary on original context. Made me want to read more.
August 10, 2019
wonderful read. Light but insightful.
April 28, 2014
This was unusual but I am intrigued by anything by the Bard or about his life and his writing.
May 9, 2013
It didn't hold my interest.
May 3, 2016
Always good to have another book of Shakespeare quotes.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews