Shakespeare not only gave the world some of the best stories but also introduced some popular idioms to English.
Shakespeare and his contributions to the world of literature.
Shakespeare is one of the finest playwrights of all time. He was also fondly known as the national poet of England. He ushered us all in the world of amazing stories and characters, and many of his plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Hamlet continues to mesmerize readers to this day. Other than his pioneering work in the field of literature, he seemed to contribute a lot to vernacular English through his idioms and phrases. So, here are some of the idioms which Shakespeare has introduced to the English language that we use today.
The green-eyed monster
The phrase was first introduced to the audience by Shakespeare in his popular drama Othello. It is there that he uses the phrase in the lines, “O, beware, my lord of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat...”. Since then, it became a popular phrase to indicate jealousy.
As luck would have it.
The phrase was originated firstly in the Merry wives Windsor in the year 1600. The phraseindicates chances or some fortunate coincidence. In fact, earlier, the phrase was “As good luck would have it”, but as time passed, the phrase was shortened, and the word love was dropped off.
High time.
We use this phrase nowadays very frequently. There is high time for everything, high time to be serious about studies, high time to play, high time for everything. But did you know that this phrase was first introduced to us by Shakespeare in the iconic play “Comedy of Errors”? The phrase is used when something is due to be done or carried out.
In stitches.
Do you know the feeling when you are laughing uncontrollably to the point of pain or when you feel that your sides feel like they are pricked by a needle? That is what precisely is what is in stitches. This phrase was also introduced and used by Shakespeare in the play “Twelfth Night”.
A foregone conclusion.
The classic idiom was used by the great dramatist in his legendary play “Othello”. The phrase is very poetically used to show endor the inevitable conclusion. He beautifully used this phrase in these lines.
“Tis a shrewd thought, though it be but a dream”.
