Shakespearean Misquotes: Identifying the Most Memorable Lines that Aren't Actually His

Many of us have heard famous quotes attributed to the universally revered William Shakespeare, only to later find out that the words in question are not actually his. This article explores some of the most memorable lines commonly cited as Shakespearean that in fact originate from other sources.

Introduction

Starting with a classic example, the phrase "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" is frequently erroneously attributed to Shakespeare. However, if one delves into the actual source, one discovers that the real line reads:

tHeaven hath no rage like love to hate turned/Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.

This quote comes from a play called The Mourning Bride by George Etherege, which was published in 1697, long after Shakespeare's death in 1616.

The Misattributed Line

Another line often misquoted is "music hath charms to soothe a savage beast". While this line is beautiful and poetic, the correct version should be "music hath charms to soothe the savage breast". This line also originates from George Etherege's The Mourning Bride.

The Enigmatic "All That Glitters"

Another quote that many people think is Shakespearean but actually isn't is "All that glitters is not gold". In reality, this phrase is from The Lady of Lyons by Sir Walter Scott, who wrote it in 1878, well after Shakespeare's time. Interestingly, Shakespeare did write "All that glisters is not gold" in The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene 7. However, to quote him accurately, it's better to cite the correct version as it appears very similar.

The Classic "The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword"

The saying "the pen is mightier than the sword" has been in popular use for quite some time. Most people attribute this to Shakespeare as well, but it is actually a line from Edward Bulwer-Lytton's play Richelieu; or The Conspiracy, published in 1839. The full quote is as follows:

tTrue. In the rule of things entirely great/The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold/The arch-enchanters wand!—itself a nothing!—But taking sorcery from the master-hand/To paralyse the Caesars and to strike/Quick earth breathless!—Take away the sword—/States can be saved without it!

The play Richelieu was a hit, persisting on the stage for over half a century, longer than many of William Shakespeare's works. While Bulwer-Lytton's work is now largely forgotten, at the height of his fame, he was more popular than Charles Dickens.

Conclusion

Thus, while many memorable lines have become synonymous with the quintessential works of Shakespeare, it is crucial to verify their origins. A bit of historical knowledge can help us appreciate the true source and context of the lines we so often quote.