Top 10 Shakespeare drinks quotes

As the world celebrates the Bard’s 400^th birthday, it’s only fitting to take another look at Shakespeare’s finest drinks quotes.

This is our selection of the top 10 drinks quotes from Shakespeare’s plays

With ale, wine and distillates appearing frequently in Shakespeare’s 40-or-so plays and 159 poems, he was something of a literary expert on all things liquor.

But never fear! Far removed from the dour halls of school’s English Literature classroom, these often amusing quotes represent both life lessons and advice from Stratford-Upon-Avon’s most renowned export.

So from merriment and glee to betrayal and drunken fools, click through the following pages to discover SB‘s pick of top 10 Shakespeare drink quotes.

Think we’ve missed out a classic? Let us know in the comments below.

“Why, sir, for my part I say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five senses”

The Merry Wives Of Windsor: Act 1, Scene 1

Source: Folger Shakespeare Library

One of Shakespeare’s 14 comedies, The Merry Wives of Windsor opens with an altercation between two groups of men as they discuss the drunken escapades of an evening previous. Who should be present but Falstaff, the typically intoxicated buffoon who likes to stir up trouble. In this scene, Falstaff, along with pals Bardolph, Nim, and Pistol, admit to roughing up the higher-ranked Master Slender. But Bardolph, quoted here, says that Slender was far too drunk to remember what happened. Slender retorts that he will never drink in lesser company again: “I’ll ne’er be drunk whilst I live again, but in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick. If I be drunk, I’ll be drunk with those that have the fear of God, and not with drunken knaves.” A lesson for us all.

“Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness”

The Merry Wives of Windsor: Act 1, Scene 1

Slender, with the Assistance of Shallow, Courting Anne Page, from The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene iv by Charles Robert Leslie

It would seem that Slender was unable to keep his new vow for long. After the disagreement, Anne, the object of his affections, arrives to pour the men wine. Her father, Master Page, summons the group in for dinner and concludes the dispute: “I hope we shall drink down all unkindness”. Turns out, burying the hatchet with a good dram/glass of wine/cocktail* has been the tried and tested method of sorting out quarrels for 400 years.

*delete as appropriate

“I pray you, do not fall in love with me, For I am falser than vows made in wine.”

As You Like It: Act 3, Scene 5

Photo of Katharine Hepburn {Rosalind), Vanessa Brown and Robert Foster (Dennis) from the Theatre Guild 1951 production of As You Like It, by Vandamm, New York

Another of Shakespeare’s comedies, As You Like It features gutsy, cross-dressing Rosalind as a central character. Instead of resigning herself to her fate after being chucked out of the court, she heads to the forest and adopts the male character of Ganymede, more than challenging 16^th century assumptions about women being soft, helpless and passive. The only fly in the ointment is when Phebe falls in love with “Ganymede”. “Don’t be stupid,” Rosalind retorts. “I am falser than vows made in wine.” We all know how flaky those giddy promises made after a few drinks can turn out…

“I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment”

Othello: Act 2, Scene 3

Othello perfomed as a ballet by Denis Untila und Michelle Yamamoto

One for those of a less boozy persuasion; why does socialising so often revolve around alcohol? This is Cassio’s question to Iago, who is indeed trying to get him to drink – and while on duty, no less. Thank goodness for teetotalers, the bar industry has well caught up with the market for non-alcoholic serves. From dedicated sections on the menus of top cocktail bars, to venues like London’s Redemption which prizes itself on tip-top alcohol-free serves, in 2016, Cassio would be able to rebuff Iago with myriad low- and no-alcohol options.

“Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear?”

Othello: Act 2, Scene 3

Iago and Cassio, Charles and Mary Lamb, Tales from Shakespeare, Philadelphia- Henry Altemus Company, 1901

If ever there was a lesson in not being coerced into drinking more than one is comfortable with, it is how this this Iago vs. Cassio scene plays out. Those familiar with Othello with know that Iago is a treacherous sort, not to be trusted under any circumstancs. While the pair sit on duty as night guards, Iago continues to challenge his colleague to drink – which he does, after much protestation: “Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear?”. Later in the scene, Cassio gets caught up in a ruckus and is fired for his unruly behaviour. Don’t fret – Iago eventually gets his comeuppance, in one of the most catastrophic of all Shakespeare’s tragedies.

“I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety”

Henry V: Act 3, Scene 2

King Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt by John Gilbert 1817–97

One of the most famous lines from Henry V, Boy’s line “I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety” could be echoed by many a celebrity in modern times. Not so much the pressures of superstar status, the Boy here is referring to the thrill of patriotic service as the English prepare to attack the French. You can almost hear his plaintive cry: “Take me away from the unexpected horror of the battlefield and whisk me away to my cosy local, far away from the dreadfulness.” Whatever today’s distresses are, a comforting cocktail in a welcoming bar will always feel like sanctuary.

“Do you think because you are virtuous, that there shall be no more cakes and ale?”

Twelfth Night: Act 2, Scene 3

Sir Toby Belch and Sir Anthony Aguecheek, Folger Shakespeare Library Digital Image Collection

Another scenario undoubtedly familiar to many: Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek have returned giddy from a late-night soiree, but aren’t quite ready to turn in yet. So they rock up up at Olivia’s house – who they both fancy but is mourning her brother’s death so is in no mood for high jinks – and get told off for their boozy singing by her steward, Malvolio. Toby asks him whether he thinks his virtue can be forced on anyone else, with “cakes and ale” here meaning “uncivil rule” – surely the best idiom for drunken behaviour ever written?

“I drink to the general joy of the whole table”

Macbeth Act 3, Scene 4

Macbeth seeing the ghost of Banquo, by Théodore Chassériau

One of the most dramatically tense scenes in Shakespeare, Macbeth has just entered the banqueting hall packed with guests to learn his one-time friend Banquo, who he subsequently arranged to be murdered, has indeed met an untimely end. But instead of feel relief, as he walks to his seat he is distressed to discover it is not empty – rather Banquo’s ghost occupies his spot. Macbeth speaks to the ghost, which remains invisible to everyone else, prompting his wife to make excuses for him. This continues for a while, with Macbeth’s eventual toast, “I drink to the general joy of the whole table”, offering little reassurance to his guests.

“Good company, good wine, good welcome can make good people”

Henry VIII, Act 1 Scene 4

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn engraving by T. L. Raab

While we know Anne Bolen (or Bullen, as Shakespeare names her) does not have a happy ending (be)heading her way. But this scene is a jolly affair where Henry first sets eyes on his future queen. Lord of the Court Guildford welcomes guests with the jaunty line “Good company, good wine, good welcome can make good people” – and we agree. Got an annoying guest at a dinner party? Crack open a bottle; they’ll either become nicer, or you will simply care less.

“Eat and drink as friends”

The Taming of the Shrew, Act 1 Scene 2

The Taming of the Shrew by James Gillray

Another quote representing Shakespeare’s strategy of ending a row with the offer of a quick drink. The Taming of the Shrew is another of Shakespeare’s comedies which essentially sees a number of men attempting to woo an unsuspecting woman – in this instance it is Bianca, a lady forbidden from marrying until her sister does. Just before this quote, three potential suitors realise they are all vying for the same “prize” and have a brief argument, until Tranio, a “trusty” servant, convinces them they can remain friends while “competing” for Bianca’s hand. While SB frowns upon the act of contending for a person’s affections, all heading for a drink to sort out collective differences is certainly a concept we’re on board with.