What’s inside: We will look at the best of Shakespeare’s quotes that are wonderful for toasting occasions. And we’ll see how to master these toasts. Melba had toasts and now you can too with the help of Shakespeare!
Shakespearean Toasts
That’s right! Melba had toasts and you can too. Have you ever needed that inspirational saying at the drop of a hat, only to forget the pithy words and references?
Well, don’t let that happen to your kids.
Shakespeare can help them.
We will look at 10 quotes from the Bard that make excellent toasts.
Memorization & Recitation
Before I show you the 10 quotes, you may be wondering how to use these.
If you want to actually use these and have them in mind when you need them – and that could be some far off unknown date – you will need to memorize them. Fortunately, they are short and they are easily memorized, especially by young minds.
4 ways to memorize these short quotes
- Use the habit box rotation system. Put each quote on an index card and recite it aloud once at breakfast time. It takes very few days before everyone can recite it by heart without looking.
- Use them for copywork. Then dictation. Then put them in your commonplace notebook.
- Play memory games, like “Erase the Word”, while reciting a quote. (See below)
- Use the quotes for your formal recitation and memorization lessons. Let the child recite during dinner.
GAME Instructions: Erase the Word
- Write the quote on a white board and read it aloud together.
- Erase one word. (Pick an important word)
- Say the sentence again, even though the missing word isn’t shown.
- Erase another word and repeat.
- Repeat until all of the words are gone.
The Quotes
These are arranged from shortest to longest. Many of these I found via Shakespeare Geek, so a big shout-out there.
- “Lack nothing: be merry.” – Henry IVp2. Act V, Scene 3
- “Heaven send thee good fortune.” – Merry Wives of Windsor. Act III, Scene 4
- “Your heart’s desires be with you.” – As You Like It. Act I, Scene 2
- “I wish you all the joy you can wish.” – Merchant of Venice. Act III, Scene 2
- “All days of glory, joy and happiness.” – King John. Act III, Scene 4
- “To unpathed waters, undreamed shores.” – The Winter’s Tale, Act IV, Scene 4
- “Fair thought and happy hours attend you.” – Merchant of Venice. Act III, Scene 4
- “Heaven give you many, many merry days.” – Merry Wives of Windsor. Act V, Scene 5
- “I drink to the general joy of the whole table.” – Macbeth. Act III, Scene 4
- “The best of happiness, honour and fortunes, keep with you.” – Timon of Athens, Act I, Scene 2
Good Luck! & Enjoy
