Quote of the Week

The last Shakespearean quote this month.

“That trunk of humours, that bolting-hutch of beastliness, that swollen parcel of dropsies, that huge bombard of sack, that stuffed cloak-bag of guts, that roasted Manningtree ox with pudding in his belly, that reverend vice, that grey Iniquity, that father ruffian, that vanity in years?”

From Henry IV, Part I, Scene II, Act IV

Prince Henry is practicing what he will say the next day to his father the king. Falstaff is playing the part of the king. Falstaff reprimands the prince about where he spends his time and who he spends it with. Then, speaking as the king, he tells Prince Henry to keep company with the handsome, dignified Falstaff, and praises himself.

Prince Henry switches up the game and has Falstaff play him while the prince plays his father the king. He in turn disparages Falstaff, calls him a fat old man, that container of diseases, a bin of beastliness, a huge cask of wine, a roasted ox stuffed with pudding, that reverend Vice, a gray-haired sinner, an elderly swaggerer.

This a great scene. I’ve only picked up the middle, but the entire scene is worth a read.