Shakespeare: The Bard’s Guide to Abuses and Affronts

Presenting a most civilized way to silence boors, deflect rudeness, and chide churlish lovers: Our mini book of insults culled from the dramatic works of English literature's most gifted wordsmith. Shakespeare's enduring putdowns include "Thou art a very ragged Wart" (Henry IV), "Thy kiss is as comfortless as frozen water to a starved snake" (Troilus and Cressida), and "In civility thou seem'st so empty" (As You Like It). Why resort to vulgarity when a high-brow literary epithet does the job so well?