Explorer
Every Shakespeare reference the project could verify, in one place.
There are 137 of them after the source-level audit that removed two confirmed false positives. They split into two kinds: 61 direct quotations (passages where a Founder uses five or more consecutive words from Shakespeare) and 76 named references, where a Founder mentions Shakespeare by name, names one of his plays, or invokes one of his characters in a way the surrounding context confirms is literary.
Each reference is verified against the original document and graded for confidence. High-confidence findings are undeniable: long verbatim quotations, or named references with Shakespeare himself nearby in the text. Medium-confidence findings are probable: shorter sequences, or play and character mentions that surface near a literary cue (the word play, scene, character, etc.). The full reference list is below, filterable and searchable.
Founder
Type
Confidence
Showing 137 of 137 references
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…. 2 I met another Clergyman and a sensible Man at Bristol. At the Inns as usual there were Scaenes and Characters, for the Amusement of Swift or even Shakespeare. Another Journey had well nigh proved fatal to me. Mr. Joshua Willard of Petersham, who had married Miss Ward a Niece of General Ward of Shrewsbury,…
[1757]
“now forever farewell the tranquil mind farewell”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…der to raise the Passions of the Audience &c. {20} With what pathos does Othello bid farewell to War, in Shakespear. Oh now forever Farewell the tranquil Mind! farewell content; Farewell the ploomed Troops and the big War That make Ambition Virtue! Oh! farewell! Farewell the neighing Ste…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
“farewell farewell the neighing steed and the”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…arewell the tranquil Mind! farewell content; Farewell the ploomed Troops and the big War That make Ambition Virtue! Oh! farewell! Farewell the neighing Steed, and the shrill Trump The spirit stirring Drum, thâear piercing fife The Royal Banner and all Quality, Pride, Pomp, and Circum…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
“ear piercing fife the royal banner and”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…at make Ambition Virtue! Oh! farewell! Farewell the neighing Steed, and the shrill Trump The spirit stirring Drum, thâear piercing fife The Royal Banner and all Quality, Pride, Pomp, and Circumstance of glorious War And Oh! you mortal Engines, whose rude Throats Thâimmortal…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
“all quality pride pomp and circumstance of”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…Farewell the neighing Steed, and the shrill Trump The spirit stirring Drum, thâear piercing fife The Royal Banner and all Quality, Pride, Pomp, and Circumstance of glorious War And Oh! you mortal Engines, whose rude Throats Thâimmortal Joves dread Clamours counterfeit Farewell! Ot…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
“but a walking shadow a poor player”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…When the News of his Ladies death is brought to Mackbeth, he turns his Thoughts upon Life. Out out brief Candle! Lifes but a walking Shadow, a Poor Player That struts and frets his Hour upon the Stage And then is heard no more! It is a Tale Told by an Ideot, full of Sound a…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“that struts and frets his hour upon”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…s brought to Mackbeth, he turns his Thoughts upon Life. Out out brief Candle! Lifes but a walking Shadow, a Poor Player That struts and frets his Hour upon the Stage And then is heard no more! It is a Tale Told by an Ideot, full of Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing. 2 Here h…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“the stage and then is heard no”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…Thoughts upon Life. Out out brief Candle! Lifes but a walking Shadow, a Poor Player That struts and frets his Hour upon the Stage And then is heard no more! It is a Tale Told by an Ideot, full of Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing. 2 Here he compares Life, 1st to a Candl…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“full of sound and fury signifying nothing”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…, a Poor Player That struts and frets his Hour upon the Stage And then is heard no more! It is a Tale Told by an Ideot, full of Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing. 2 Here he compares Life, 1st to a Candle, then to a Shadow, an Image taken from scripture, then to a Player on the sta…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“the man would die and there an”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…ackbeth and his Wife and Iago are Characters of Fiends, not of men. The times have been, that when the Brains were out, the man would die, and there an End, but now they rise again with 20 mortal murders on their Crowns, and push us from our stools. Malcolm and Donalbain…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“end but now they rise again with”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…e Characters of Fiends, not of men. The times have been, that when the Brains were out, the man would die, and there an End, but now they rise again with 20 mortal murders on their Crowns, and push us from our stools. Malcolm and Donalbain when they find their father murth…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“towering in her pride of place was”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…ded that the Design was to charge the Murder on them, and to avoid the consequences they fled to England, and a faulcon towering in her Pride of Place, was by a mousing Owl haukt at and killed. The faulcon is Duncan, the mousing Owl is Mackbeth. The old man observed the Omen…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“beauteous and swift the minions of their”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…ackbeth. The old man observed the Omen. Rosse takes Notice of another Omen that preceded Duncans Death. Duncans Horses, beauteous and swift, the Minions of their Race, turned wild in Nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending gainst Obedience, as they would make War with ma…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“wild in nature broke their stalls flung”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…ice of another Omen that preceded Duncans Death. Duncans Horses, beauteous and swift, the Minions of their Race, turned wild in Nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending gainst Obedience, as they would make War with man. Thriftless Ambition that will raven up thy own lifes…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“out contending gainst obedience as they would”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…Death. Duncans Horses, beauteous and swift, the Minions of their Race, turned wild in Nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending gainst Obedience, as they would make War with man. Thriftless Ambition that will raven up thy own lifes means. Mackbeth kills the others that lay in th…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“lamentings heard i the air strange screams”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
……
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“to the woeful time the obscure bird”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…re blown down. Lamentings heard iâthe air, strange screams of Death. Of dire Combustion and confusd Events New hatchd to the woeful time. The obscure bird clamourd the livelong night Some say the Earth was feverous and did shake. 3 Mackbeths Imagination was [struck?] and af…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“the livelong night some say the earth”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…trange screams of Death. Of dire Combustion and confusd Events New hatchd to the woeful time. The obscure bird clamourd the livelong night Some say the Earth was feverous and did shake. 3 Mackbeths Imagination was [struck?] and afraid, was as lively and teemed with Notions, a…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“shrill trump the spirit stirring drum”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 6-word match
…rewell the ploomed Troops and the big War That make Ambition Virtue! Oh! farewell! Farewell the neighing Steed, and the shrill Trump The spirit stirring Drum, thâear piercing fife The Royal Banner and all Quality, Pride, Pomp, and Circumstance of glorious War And Oh! you mor…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
“you mortal engines whose rude throats”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 6-word match
…ng Drum, thâear piercing fife The Royal Banner and all Quality, Pride, Pomp, and Circumstance of glorious War And Oh! you mortal Engines, whose rude Throats Thâimmortal Joves dread Clamours counterfeit Farewell! Othelloâs Occupations gone! 22 These Exclamations, Apostroph…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
“sleep the innocent sleep sleep”
from Macbeth· 5-word match
…en he was [ remainder missing ] His imagination created 100 things, a Voice crying, Sleep no more, Mackbeth doth Murder Sleep; the innocent Sleep. Sleep is the Idea now. What Thoughts does this call up. Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of Care, the Death of each da…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“balm of hurt minds great”
from Macbeth· 5-word match
…As Death is to a mans whole Life, so is < Sleep to a day > each nights Sleep to us, sore Labours Bath, Bath of Labour, Balm of Hurt minds, great natures second Course, chief Nourisher in Lifes feast. The Eye of [ remainder missing ]…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
“second course chief nourisher in”
from Macbeth· 5-word match
…so is < Sleep to a day > each nights Sleep to us, sore Labours Bath, Bath of Labour, Balm of Hurt minds, great natures second Course, chief Nourisher in Lifes feast. The Eye of [ remainder missing ]…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…y of Heaven, an Execution that Mortal man cant Stayâthe Elements of Heaven, fire, Heat, Rain, Wind, &c. Let me search for the Clue, which Led great Shakespeare into the Labyrinth of mental Nature! Let me examine how men think. Shakespeare had never seen in real Life Persons under the Influence of all those S…
Tuesday. December 3 or 4 [i.e. 5?].
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ire, Heat, Rain, Wind, &c. Let me search for the Clue, which Led great Shakespeare into the Labyrinth of mental Nature! Let me examine how men think. Shakespeare had never seen in real Life Persons under the Influence of all those Scenes of Pleasure and distress, which he has described in his Works, but he ima…
Tuesday. December 3 or 4 [i.e. 5?].
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…lry of Heaven, an Execution that Mortal man cant Stay—the Elements of Heaven, fire, Heat, Rain, Wind, &c. Let me search for the Clue, which Led great Shakespeare into the Labyrinth of mental Nature! Let me examine how men think. Shakespeare had never seen in real Life Persons under the Influence of all those S…
[December 1758]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ire, Heat, Rain, Wind, &c. Let me search for the Clue, which Led great Shakespeare into the Labyrinth of mental Nature! Let me examine how men think. Shakespeare had never seen in real Life Persons under the Influence of all those Scenes of Pleasure and distress, which he has described in his Works, but he ima…
[December 1758]
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…What is Wisdom? Is it, to write dramatic Poetry, like Milton or Shakespear? Is it to write on Astronomy and Physicks like Newton, or is it to know the human mind like Lock? Does it consist in Genius and Learning? No Genius a…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…the nice Connection and Dependence of these upon each other thro a whole Poem. And these Proofs have been given in a surprizing degree by Milton and Shakespear, Homer, Virgil &c. Milton has feigned the Characters of Arch Angells and Devills, of Sin, Death, &c., out of his own creative Imagination and has adj…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…haracter express his own Passions well, in order to raise the Passions of the Audience &c. {20} With what pathos does Othello bid farewell to War, in Shakespear. Oh now forever Farewell the tranquil Mind! farewell content; Farewell the ploomed Troops and the big War That make Ambition Virtue! Oh! farewell! Fa…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…nd for avoiding the low, little and mean in Discourse. I have not Leisure nor Patience, for examining the sublime Passages in Tully, Virgill, Milton, Shakespeare, Pope, Bolinbroke, Swift, Addison, Tillotson, Ovid, Horace &c. by these Rules. In that very sublime Passage in Milton where the Effect of Satans Spee…
[A Letter to Richard Cranch about Orlinda, a Letter on Employing One’s Mind, and Reflections on Procrastination, Genius, Moving the Passions, Cicero as Orator, Milton’s Style, &c., October–December 1758.]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…Shakespeare, in the Character of Lady Mackbeth, and of Gertrude, the Wife of old Hamlet, and afterwards of King Claudius, and in the Character of Lady Anne in Ki…
[Shakespeare’s Characters and Figurative Language, October–December 1758.]
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…at last, strives to turn it off with a Laugh.ââI wish I had it. Ide shew it, I know.ââBela really acts the Part of the Tamer of the Shrew in Shakespear. Thus a kind Look, an obliging Air, a civil Answer, is a boon that she cant obtain from her Husband. Farmers, Tradesmen, Soldiers, Sailors, People of…
1760. Decr. 2d.
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…vereign of his wonted Respects and Observance. Recollect, Mr. Pym, a scene in the Tragedy of K [ing] H [enry] 8th. I think you was once an Admirer of Shakespear. Vid. V. 5. 284. 285. 286. 4 A scene which may be very properly recommended to modern Monarks, Queens, and Favourites. I will repeat it, Mr. Pym, for…
Decr. 25th. 1765. Christmas.
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…ren? When you compare her to the infamous miscreant, who lately stood on the gallows for starving her child? When you resemble her to Lady Macbeth in Shakespear, (I cannot think of it without horror) Who âhad given suck, and knew How tender âtwas to love the Babe that milkâd her.â But yet, who could â…
VI. “A Dissertation on the Canon and the Feudal Law,” No. 4, 21 October 1765
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ch Cases to the Bottom, I have had Recourse, upon these occasions, to the occult Sciences. A little familiar Spirit attends me, whom, in Imitation of Shakespeare I have called Ariel. This little Spright, who hops about upon the Clouds and Rainbows, rides upon the Sun beams, dives down to the Center of the Eart…
VI. Misanthrop, No. 2, January 1767
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…âIf I would but go to Hell for an eternal Moment or so, I might be knighted.â Shakespeare. The Good of the governed is the End, and Rewards and Punishments are the Means of all Government. The Government of the Supream and alperfect Mind,…
[Draft of a Newspaper Communication, August? 1770.]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…if we awaken it is the fault of the writer. I appeal to every reader of feeling and sentiment whether the fictitious murther of Duncan by Macbeth in Shakespeare does not excite in him as great horror of villainy, as the real one of Henry IV by Ravaillac as related by Davila ? And whether the fidelity of Nelso…
Thomas Jefferson to Robert Skipwith, with a List of Books for a Private Library, 3 August 1771
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…v. 8vo. Donaldson. Edinburgh 1762. 10/ Hooleâs Tasso. 12mo. 5/ Ossian with Blairâs criticisms. 2 v. 8vo. 10/ Telemachus by Dodsley. 6/ Capellâs Shakespear. 12mo. 30/ Drydenâs plays. 6 v. 12mo. 18/ Addisonâs plays. 12mo. 3/ Otwayâs plays. 3 v. 12mo. 9/ Roweâs works. 2 v. 12mo. 6/ Thompsonâs wor…
Thomas Jefferson to Robert Skipwith, with a List of Books for a Private Library, 3 August 1771
King Lear(PLAY_TITLE:King Lear)
…nd every moral rule of life. Thus a lively and lasting sense of filial duty is more effectually impressed on the mind of a son or daughter by reading King Lear, than by all the dry volumes of ethics and divinity that ever were written. This is my idea of well-written Romance, of Tragedy, Comedy, and Epic Poe…
Thomas Jefferson to Robert Skipwith, with a List of Books for a Private Library, 3 August 1771
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…“If I would but go to Hell for an eternal Moment or so, I might be knighted”—Shakespeare. Shakespeare, that great Master of every Affection of the Heart and every Sentiment of the Mind as well as of all the Powers of Expression, is someti…
1772. Feby. 9. Sunday.
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…“If I would but go to Hell for an eternal Moment or so, I might be knighted”—Shakespeare. Shakespeare, that great Master of every Affection of the Heart and every Sentiment of the Mind as well as of all the Powers of Expression, is sometimes fond of a…
1772. Feby. 9. Sunday.
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…. Criticism. Rhetoric. Oratory. to wit. Â Belles letters. read the best of the Poets, epic, didactic, dramatic, pastoral, lyric E t c but among these Shakespear must be singled out by one who wishes to learn the full powers of the English language. of him we must advise, as Horace did of the Grecian models, â…
Thomas Jefferson to John Minor, 30 August 1814, including Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Moore, [ca. 1773?]
“in time to come i hope to”
from The Second Part Of Henry The Sixth· 7-word match
…Family. I have been banished from them, the greatest Part of the last Eighteen Months but I hope to be with them more, in Time to come. I hope to be excused from attending at Philadelphia, after the Expiration of the Year. I hope that Dr. Winthrop, Mr. Sever, Mr. G…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 September 1775
“pride pomp and circumstance of glorious war”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…be shown to these officers on their arrival. The whole army, I think, should be drawn up upon the occasion, and all the pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war displayed;â no powder burned, however. There is something charming to me in the conduct of Washington. A gentleman of…
John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 18 June 1775
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…house. Addressed: To / Mr Jonathan Williams / at Mrs Stevensonâs / Craven street / London / per favour of Capt. Loxley [ In Loxleyâs hand: ] Mr. Shakespeare please deliver the enclosâd to Mr. D. Barclays care opposite Bow Church and will obloige yours &c B L Chapeside 108…
Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 September 1775
“there is a tide in the affairs”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…overnment in the Hands of the Friends of the People. It is now perhaps the most critical Moment that America, ever saw. There is a Tide in the affairs of Men, and Consequences of infinite Moment depend upon the Colonies, assuming Government at this Time. So convenient a…
John Adams to William Heath, 15 April 1776
“pride pomp and circumstance of glorious war”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…Philadelphia April 27. 1777 Aha!âexchanging the Pride, Pomp and Circumstance of Glorious War, for the soft Charms of Wedlock and domestic Felicity, 1 I supposeâabandoning Gun, Drum, Trumpet, Blunderbuss and Thu…
John Adams to William Tudor, 27 April 1777
“pride pomp and circumstance of glorious war”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…f History; here I can do nothing. The beauteous olive Branch will never decorate my Brows. I must Spend my Life, in the Pride, Pomp, and Circumstance of glorious War, without sharing any of its Laurels. My most profound Respects to Mrs. WarrenâI dread her History more than that of t…
John Adams to James Warren, 9 December 1780
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…enturous Spirit and inflexible Virtue you certainly, as well as I owe our Existence. I wish you, in your next Letter, to transcribe me the Passage of Shakespear, in which the Brownists are mentioned. You should treat the Minister of that Society, in Leyden with the greatest Respect, and attend his Meeting, ev…
John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 December 1780
“there is a tide in the affairs”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…Suffering the Spirit of the People to subside, and their Passions to cool, a matter of the last Importance, in War. âThere is a Tide in the affairs of Men, which taken at the Ebb leads on to Fortune.â 2 However, the Maxims of Government here are different, from mos…
John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 25 January 1781
“i have given suck and know how”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…ain. Herods murder of the Innocents was a trifle in comparison. 2 Lady Macbeth uttered a Sentiment a little like it. âI have given Suck; and know how tender tis to love the Babe that milks me: yet would I: even when âtwas smiling in my face; have plucked my Nipple fr…
John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 3 July 1782
“tender tis to love the babe that”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…nts was a trifle in comparison. 2 Lady Macbeth uttered a Sentiment a little like it. âI have given Suck; and know how tender tis to love the Babe that milks me: yet would I: even when âtwas smiling in my face; have plucked my Nipple from its boneless Gums and dashâd…
John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 3 July 1782
“god save the king god save the”
from The Second Part Of Henry The Sixth· 7-word match
…and this People , and all the Men of Israel choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide, 1 and to him will I Say 2 God Save the King, God Save the King. Hushai, has here asserted the first Principle of the Rights of Man kind, the first Principle of Liberty. He here…
John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 5 October 1782
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…is a Manufacture, it is the Effect of Government and Education &câS. run on about the Panurge, Pantagruel &c. of Rabelais, the Romeo and Julliet of Shakespeare, the Mandragore of Machiavel, the Tartuff of Moliere, &c. &c.…
1782 Oct. 14. Monday.
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…be, that Count de V. and myself are continually plotting against him & employing the News Writers of Europe to depreciate his Character, &ca. but as Shakespear says, âTrifles light as Air, &ca.â 4 I am persuaded however that he means well for his Country, is always an honest Man, often a Wise One, but so…
Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 22[–26] July 1783
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…n design in gardening. Jennings on medals. Harrisâs Hermes 8vo. âââ three treatises 8vo. Wartonâs observns. on Spenser. 2. v. 8vo. Essay on Shakespeare. 8vo. Jones poeseos Asiaticae comment. 8vo. unbound. London catalogue of books. pamphlet Suidae lexicon. 3. v. fol. injured. Sallust. Foulis. 12mo. W…
Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Henley, with a List of Books, 3 March 1785
comedy of errors(PLAY_TITLE:Comedy of Errors)
…ou will have understood them. If they were written by the 1st. you will now be able by translating the numbers to understand them also; and thus this comedy of errors will be cleared up. Since writing so far I have made out a table adjusting the numbers in my copy to those in yours, which will enable you to transla…
Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, [6 February 1785]
“the archbishop of canterbury and the bishop”
from Henry The Fifth· 7-word match
…ing Massachusetts and New York in the Bands of Love was going on here. Last Sunday under the Right Reverend Sanction of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of st Asaph were married M r Smith and Miss Adams. 1 It will be unnatural if fÅderal Purposes are not answered by all…
John Adams to Rufus King, 14 June 1786
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…Uncertainty of our Sentiments concerning the Civil Wars. Stratford upon Avon is interesting as it is the Scaene of the Birth, Death and Sepulture of Shakespear. Three Doors from the Inn, is the House where he was born, as small and mean, as you can conceive. They shew Us an old Wooden Chair in the Chimney Co…
[Notes on a Tour of English Country Seats, &c., with Thomas Jefferson, 4–10? April 1786.]
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…Uncertainty of our Sentiments concerning the Civil Wars. Stratford upon Avon is interesting as it is the Scaene of the Birth, Death and Sepulture of Shakespear. Three Doors from the Inn, is the House where he was born, as small and mean, as you can conceive. They shew Us an old Wooden Chair in the Chimney Co…
[April 1786]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…st possible, such as you may have seen me use, if you should happen to have noticed mine. They cost about a dollar. The remaining numbers of Bellâs Shakespeare, petit format. I have the eleven first numbers. A pair of brass dividers, 6. Inches long, with a leg to slide out. A draw pen, and pencil leg, both m…
Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 5 January 178[6]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ubles de lâAmerique. I have the two first volumes; if any more be come out, I shall be glad to receive them; or whenever they do come out. Bellâs Shakespeare. The nos. since 25. I have 25. numbers. On fine paper. Monthly and Critical reviews since those I have received. Jefferyâs historical chart. Priest…
Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 24 July 1786
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ct. 3. v. 8vo. 9 Davis. Kirwanâs estimate of the temperature of different climates. 10 Elmesley. Sylva. or the wood. 8vo. 5/. Payne & son. Bellâs Shakespeare. I have the first 32. Nos. Send me what is since published. Hargraveâs Coke Littleton. I have as far as page 330. Send me what has since come out.…
Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, with Orders for Books, 1 July 1787
Shylock(CHARACTER:Shylock)
…eased nor shall cease endeavoring to satisfy others that your conduct has been that of an honest and honourable debtor, and theirs the counterpart of Shylock in the play. I inclose you a letter containing my testimony on your general conduct, which I have written to relieve a debt of justice pressing on my…
Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, with Enclosure, 3 August 1787
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…g not received any Reviews from you since those of August, I am uninformed how they have treated it. I suppose too there are more volumes of Bellâs Shakespeare (fine paper) out now, and something more of Coke Littleton. Be so good as to send these articles with those desired in my letter of Octob. 10. and ad…
Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 1 January 1788
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…n a journey. To those desired in the letters above referred to be pleased to add the following. Priestleyâs biographical chart & pamphlet. Bellâs Shakespeare. No. 50 & the subsequent ones. I have No. 49. & preceding. Hargraveâs Coke Littleton after folio 395. to which I have. Monthly & Critical reviews a…
Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 18 May 1788
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…history. Dilly. Families of plants by the Litchfeild society. 2. vols. 8vo. Mc.kenzieâs strictures on Tarletonâs history. Faulder. Concordance to Shakespeare. Robinsons. Indian vocabulary. 12mo. Stockdale. Additions to Robertsonâs history of Scotland. 8vo. Cadell. Additions to Robertsonâs history of Am…
Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Payne, 2 October 1788
“good fortune and the favour of the”
from Alls Well That Ends Well· 7-word match
…heretofore, so often to undertake Trusts out of all Proportion to my Talents, and having been Supported through them by good Fortune, and the favour of the World, I must again rely upon the Same Assistance.â one Comfort has always attended me.â I have been always best su…
John Adams to William Cushing, 7 March 1789
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…clothes to him.] The other is to answer some queries after [you shall have] made enquiry. Do the pictures of Newton, [Locke, Bacon, Syd]ney, Hampden, Shakespear exist? What would it cost to have them copied by some good young hand, who will do them well and is not of such established reputation as to be dear?…
Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 18 January 1789
Shakespere(SHAKESPEARE)
…in England, thoâ I do not expect better. Do the busts of the same persons, Newton, Locke, &c. exist, and what would they cost in plaster? Bellâs Shakespere tells us that the only genuine picture of Shakespere is in possession of the earl of Chandos. I suppose the lives of the other authors prefixed to th…
Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 18 January 1789
Shakespere(SHAKESPEARE)
…sts of the same persons, Newton, Locke, &c. exist, and what would they cost in plaster? Bellâs Shakespere tells us that the only genuine picture of Shakespere is in possession of the earl of Chandos. I suppose the lives of the other authors prefixed to their works will say where their pictures exist. I am w…
Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 18 January 1789
“by contraries execute all things for no”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…shall realize the raving in the Tempest, which Charles quoted to me in his last Letter. âIn the Commonwealth We shall by contraries execute all Things: for no kind of Trafic shall We admit; no name of Magistrate; Letters will not be known, wealth, Poverty and Use of service non…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“poverty and use of service none contract”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…ies execute all Things: for no kind of Trafic shall We admit; no name of Magistrate; Letters will not be known, wealth, Poverty and Use of service none; contract, Succession bowen bound of Land, tilth, Vineyard none; No Use of Metal, corn or wine or oil; No Occupation, all Men idl…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“bound of land tilth vineyard none no”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…; no name of Magistrate; Letters will not be known, wealth, Poverty and Use of service none; contract, Succession bowen bound of Land, tilth, Vineyard none; No Use of Metal, corn or wine or oil; No Occupation, all Men idle all And Women too; but innocent and pure; No Sovereignty…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“use of metal corn or wine or”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…t be known, wealth, Poverty and Use of service none; contract, Succession bowen bound of Land, tilth, Vineyard none; No Use of Metal, corn or wine or oil; No Occupation, all Men idle all And Women too; but innocent and pure; No Sovereignty. All Things in common nature…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“oil no occupation all men idle all”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…d Use of service none; contract, Succession bowen bound of Land, tilth, Vineyard none; No Use of Metal, corn or wine or oil; No Occupation, all Men idle all And Women too; but innocent and pure; No Sovereignty. All Things in common nature should produce Without sweat or endea…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“and women too but innocent and pure”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…ession bowen bound of Land, tilth, Vineyard none; No Use of Metal, corn or wine or oil; No Occupation, all Men idle all And Women too; but innocent and pure; No Sovereignty. All Things in common nature should produce Without sweat or endeavour; Treason Felony Sword Pike, knif…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“all things in common nature should produce”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…se of Metal, corn or wine or oil; No Occupation, all Men idle all And Women too; but innocent and pure; No Sovereignty. All Things in common nature should produce Without sweat or endeavour; Treason Felony Sword Pike, knife, Gun, or need of any Engine Would I not have; But nature s…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“without sweat or endeavour treason felony sword”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…tion, all Men idle all And Women too; but innocent and pure; No Sovereignty. All Things in common nature should produce Without sweat or endeavour; Treason Felony Sword Pike, knife, Gun, or need of any Engine Would I not have; But nature should bring forth of its own kind, all foizon, al…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“pike knife gun or need of any”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…t and pure; No Sovereignty. All Things in common nature should produce Without sweat or endeavour; Treason Felony Sword Pike, knife, Gun, or need of any Engine Would I not have; But nature should bring forth of its own kind, all foizon, all Abundance to feed my innocent P…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“all abundance to feed my innocent people”
from The Tempest· 7-word match
…rd Pike, knife, Gun, or need of any Engine Would I not have; But nature should bring forth of its own kind, all foizon, all Abundance to feed my innocent People.â 4 This is Lubberland indeedâ Le Pays de Cocain, I believe the French call it.â 5 but it is terra incognita.â…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
“admit no name of magistrate letters”
from The Tempest· 6-word match
…me in his last Letter. âIn the Commonwealth We shall by contraries execute all Things: for no kind of Trafic shall We admit; no name of Magistrate; Letters will not be known, wealth, Poverty and Use of service none; contract, Succession bowen bound of Land, tilth, Vineyard n…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…ription of Lubberland or what do the French call it? Pays de Cocany or some such Word. Does he get this, says I, from Old Chauar, or Spencer, or from shakespear? Young M r Otis, turned me to the Passage in elegant Extractsâ 1 It is it seems from the Tempest, which was to me, once very familiarâ Hence I se…
John Adams to Charles Adams, 17 May 1794
the Tempest(PLAY_TITLE:The Tempest)
…this, says I, from Old Chauar, or Spencer, or from shakespear? Young M r Otis, turned me to the Passage in elegant Extractsâ 1 It is it seems from the Tempest, which was to me, once very familiarâ Hence I see, my Memory is not so quick as it was once. next time you quote mark the quotation that one may lo…
John Adams to Charles Adams, 17 May 1794
the Tempest(PLAY_TITLE:The Tempest)
…ty corruption is lawful! 3 Elections are going the Usual Way in our devoted Country. Oh! that I had done with them.â We shall realize the raving in the Tempest, which Charles quoted to me in his last Letter. âIn the Commonwealth We shall by contraries execute all Things: for no kind of Trafic shall We admi…
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1794
shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…er house listened to the vile proposals of the two Wretches from Detroit. 1 But the Attempt itself is disgraceful to our Country. Your quotation from shakespear is well applied and is most admirable. There is another Passage which I wish you would look for and write me in what Play it is. to this Effect He wh…
John Adams to Charles Adams, 31 December 1795
shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…the Bar it will be early enough to go to Europe. By your Representation M r Joshua Sands has been your good Friend. I can only Say in the Language of shakespear âWhenever you have made a Friend, upon virtuous Principles grapple him to your Soul with hooks of Steel.â 1 If M r Sandsâs Experience should re…
John Adams to Charles Adams, 30 December 1796
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…s, to speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is no adequate reparation; for as Shakespear saysââhe that robs me of my good name, enriches not himself, but renders me poor indeedââor words to that effect. 4 I have said thus much, be…
George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 28 November 1796
“and know how tender tis to love”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…hink of it. The Conduct of PhÅbeâs Husband therefore would not be an Object of Imitation for me. 3 I have been young and know how tender âtis to love. I have never dictated to my Children. Perhaps it would have been better in two Instances, if I had.â I wish them to…
John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 October 1799
Coriolanus(PLAY_TITLE:Coriolanus)
…rth while to excite any public Attention to the subject here. Your Character has not suffered here, on Account of it. I rec d and read with Attention Coriolanus. It is well written in a Simple clear and nervous Style, with a Knowledge of the subject, and with a Spirit, Decision and Intrepidity that I admire.…
John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 26 February 1803
“between the red rose and the white”
from The First Part Of Henry The Sixth· 7-word match
…ions are disregarded at this day. These Plays of the great Poet if they are read by any one with a view to the Struggle between the Red Rose and the White Rose, that is to the Treachery Perfidy Treason Murder Cruelty Sedition and Rebellions of rival and unballanced factions…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1805
“would thee do were all thy children”
from Henry The Fifth· 7-word match
…ns and Daughters to dispose of, and what then? Why then it will be Said O America! What mightâest thou do, that honor would thee do, Were all thy Children kind and natural! But see thy fault! France or England hath in thee found out A nest of hollow Bosoms, which he fills.…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1805
“kind and natural but see thy fault”
from Henry The Fifth· 7-word match
…hat then? Why then it will be Said O America! What mightâest thou do, that honor would thee do, Were all thy Children kind and natural! But see thy fault! France or England hath in thee found out A nest of hollow Bosoms, which he fills. With regard to Judge Chaceâs Tryal…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1805
“hath in thee found out a nest”
from Henry The Fifth· 7-word match
…tâest thou do, that honor would thee do, Were all thy Children kind and natural! But see thy fault! France or England hath in thee found out A nest of hollow Bosoms, which he fills. With regard to Judge Chaceâs Tryal, were I in your Situation I would read every Imp…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1805
“of hollow bosoms which he fills with”
from Henry The Fifth· 7-word match
…uld thee do, Were all thy Children kind and natural! But see thy fault! France or England hath in thee found out A nest of hollow Bosoms, which he fills. With regard to Judge Chaceâs Tryal, were I in your Situation I would read every Impeachment, that is to be found in the St…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1805
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…fficacious, may be hereafter of more consequence to your Country, than you may now imagine. I have been uncommonly engaged and interrested in Reading Shakespeare, and particularly his Historical Dramaâs which I have read through once with Attention, and have almost compleated the Second time. During that Per…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1805
“will make wise men mad”
from Richard The Second· 5-word match
…d âThe People of Boston are distracted.â Another Answered No wonder the People of Boston are distracted, oppression will make wise Men mad. A third said, what would you Say, if a Fellow Should come to your house and tell you he was come to take a List of you…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 21 May 1807
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…er all his life; but he enters into every scence of human life, and seems to know the thoughts and feelings of all men, high and low, as perfectly as Shakespeare, who spent all his life among the wretches. In my last I forgot to mention Butlerâs sermons, which I have had almost by heart, these fifty years. T…
From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 2 February 1807
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…Washington Dec. 13. 07. Sir I see by an advertisement in Poulsonâs paper of the 11th. that you have for sale Sharpâs Shakespear in 9. vols 32mo. I will thank you to send it to me, the size being the circumstance which recommends it. althoâ I do not find on your catalogue Joh…
From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel F. Bradford, 13 December 1807
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…tion in any language that pleases me, though the Thing itself is the most striking beauty in Poetry oratory and every Species of fine Writing. Homer, Shakespeare are the most indebted to it. Our Franklin, owes a great part of his Merit to itâIt is not less visible or attractive in Architecture Painting and S…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 18 January 1808
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…Washington Jan. 8. 08. Sir The copy of Shakespear you were so kind as to send me came safe to hand, and I avail myself of the first occasion of making a remittance to Philada to include the sum of 11…
From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel F. Bradford, 8 January 1808
“pride pomp and circumstance of glorious war”
from Othello, Moor Of Venice· 7-word match
…y; here I can do nothing. The beauteous olive branch, I fear, will never decorate my brows. I must spend my life in the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war, without sharing any of its laurels. My most profound respects to Mrs. Warren. I dread her history more than that of th…
From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 29 August 1809
“there is a tide in the affairs”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…s suffering the spirit of the people to subside, and their passions to cool, a matter of the last importance in war. âThere is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the ebb, leads on to fortune.â However, the maxims of government here are different from most…
From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 22 September 1809
“that idles in the wanton summer air”
from Romeo And Juliet· 7-word match
…and pathetic Subject in which Morality Religion, Laws Liberty and Government are so deeply interested to that Gossamour that idles in the Wanton Summer air John Randolph! The Character of him in the Auroria is well drawn and in some respect just; but makes too much of him. Y…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 14 May 1810
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…âI know it Tom as well as you do. But why do you tell me of it? I had rather you Should Strike me.â This was one of those Touches of Nature, that Shakespeare or Cervantes would have noted in his Ivory Book. But why do you make so much ado about nothing. Of what Use can it be for Jefferson and me to exchang…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 25 December 1811
much ado about nothing(PLAY_TITLE:Much Ado About Nothing)
…hould Strike me.â This was one of those Touches of Nature, that Shakespeare or Cervantes would have noted in his Ivory Book. But why do you make so much ado about nothing. Of what Use can it be for Jefferson and me to exchange Letters. I have nothing to Say to him, but to wish him an easy Journey to Heaven when he goes…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 25 December 1811
“there is a tide in the affairs”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…. There seems to be, an irreversable decree against me, and every Being who has a drop of my blood in his or her Veins. There is a tide in the Affairs of Men Which taken at the flood leads one to fortune, Omitted, all the Voyage of Life is bound in Shallows. I have had…
From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 15 October 1812
“of men which taken at the flood”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…sable decree against me, and every Being who has a drop of my blood in his or her Veins. There is a tide in the Affairs of Men Which taken at the flood leads one to fortune, Omitted, all the Voyage of Life is bound in Shallows. I have had my tide and omitted it. You have…
From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 15 October 1812
“to fortune omitted all the voyage of”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…ho has a drop of my blood in his or her Veins. There is a tide in the Affairs of Men Which taken at the flood leads one to fortune, Omitted, all the Voyage of Life is bound in Shallows. I have had my tide and omitted it. You have had your tide and omitted it. John Quincy has ha…
From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 15 October 1812
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…estion whether Demons and their Prince are the Same Spirits as the Devil and his Angels, did not necessarily fall within the Compass of your Inquiry. Shakespeare and Pringle were not adepts in the Science of Biblical Criticism, which is now in the full tide of Successful Experiment.â (Where will it end?) See…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 18 September 1812
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ight millions of People, to see a new Play, advertised as the most extraordinary that ever was represented on Any Stage, excelling Menander Terrence, Shakespeare Corneille and Molliere. I Shall not give you the Dramatis Personas at length: but Garrick, Mrs. Siddons and Cook were conspicuous among a Company pro…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 8 December 1812
“full of sound and fury signifying nothing”
from Macbeth· 7-word match
…nauseous Fog. Add such an 8 to his age and you make him 85. He was then President for 4 years. A Tale told by an Ideot full of sound and fury Signifying Nothing. Vanity of Vanities all was Vanity! Add such a four years and you would infallibly kill him long before he would be 81.…
From John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 4 January 1813
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…rench, English, and biblical. I have an Assembly of Ladies in my Family, to a Committee of whom I have referred your quotations and Commentaries upon Shakespeare. I rather incline to Johnson. The â Hand â was a Punn. My Friend Whiteford the Cross reader was not more addicted to Punns, quibbles, points and…
From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 30 July 1813
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…line to Johnson. The â Hand â was a Punn. My Friend Whiteford the Cross reader was not more addicted to Punns, quibbles, points and conceits than Shakespeare. Be not Surprised, if you Should hear that I am advanced to the Rank and honour of Homer and Milton in blindness. John Adams…
From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 30 July 1813
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ost, its Simplicity, its Beauty its Pathos, its Philosophy, its Morality, its Religion, or its Sublimity. Is there in Homer, in Virgil, in Milton, in Shakespeare, or in Pope, an equal number of Lines, which deserves to be engraved on the Memory of Youth and Age, in more indelible Characters? If there is, pray…
From John Adams to Richard Rush, 13 August 1813
Comedy of Errors(PLAY_TITLE:Comedy of Errors)
…the existence of their administrations entirely to him. And a bright Laurel, a splendid distinction it is. Posterity, I hope will know it. The great Comedy of Errors has arisen from that immense Error of the first Concoction attempting Canada without the command of the Lakes. I expect soon to see the Southern & mi…
From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 3 July 1813
“there is a tide in the affairs”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…the proudest Wave cannot ascend: there is a depth, at least a bottom, from which no Waters are left to rise or retire. There is a tide in the Affairs of Men. It is a trite observation of Historians, that there is in human Affairs, an ultimate point of depression, from…
From John Adams to Richard Rush, 14 September 1814
“enterprises of great pith and moment”
from Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark· 6-word match
……
From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 21 November 1815
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…which I will not now commit to paper, & entertain you with plots, & Intrigues, < [. . .] > which would compose a Comedy, equal to any of Moliere or Shakespeare, if corruption prostitution & Dupery can compose a Comedy. leaving this for the present, we will proceed to Cambridge; Several branches of our Braint…
From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 2 December 1815
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…ough his eccentric performances.â The People of England, like all other People, are very fond, of discovering Plagiarisms in great Writers; Milton, Shakespeare, Franklin have undergone this Ordeal Tryall. And now Sterne is taken in hand. One loves to know what can be Said in Such cases; and therefore I wish…
From John Adams to John Adams, 3 October 1815
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…t a wonderful accession of copiousness and force has the French language attained by the innovations of the last 30. years! and what do we not owe to Shakespear for the enrichment of the language by his free and magical creation of words? in giving a loose to neologism indeed, uncouth words will sometimes be…
Thomas Jefferson’s Title and Prospectus for Destutt de Tracy’s Treatise on Political Economy, [ca. 6 April 1816]
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…gh, and trust, The Ruler with his Skies. And these four Lines in my poor Judgment, are worth more than any equal Number in Corneil, Racine, Voltaire, Shakespeare Dryden or Milton. But I have now the chereing hope of a few Evenings with your Father and all his Sons. Love to your Mother. A.…
From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 21 March 1817
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…f those of Mad m Genlis. for a like reason too much poetry should not be indulged. some is useful for forming style and taste. Pope, Dryden, Thomson, Shakespeare, and of The French Moliere, Racine, the Corneilles may be read with pleasure and improvement. The French language, become that of the general interco…
Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Burwell, 14 March 1818
“and let slip the dogs of war”
from Julius Caesar· 7-word match
…ion for the legislative Attainments of that great man. Franklinâs doctri[ ne ] is equivalent to âCry havock![ â ] and let Slip the dogs of War civil and Foreign, till a despot Shall come in to lay the dogs prostrate with his languadge and dessipate in thin Air a…
From John Adams to George Washington Adams, 22 February 1822
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…happiness by keeping up a constant terror in the minds of a great part of man kindâfor fear is a painful and distressing passion. I could wish that Shakespear had been asleep when he imagined or borrowed from Teutonic tales his ghost of Hamlet < the > his witches in Macbeth his queen Macb & his Oberon. I co…
From John Adams to Samuel B.H. Judah, 24 June 1822
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…happiness by keeping up a constant terror in the minds of a great part of mankindâfor fear is a painful and distressing passion. I could wish that Shakespear had been asleep when he imagined or borrowed from Teutonic tales his gost of Hamlet, his Witches in Macbeth, his Queen Mab, and his Oberon. I could w…
From John Adams to Samuel B.H. Judah, 25 June 1822
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…Montezillo January 3d. 1823. Dear Sir. A friend in need, is a friend indeed; you must certainly have read Shakespear, and have learnt from him, when you have once made a friend, to grapple him to your Soul with hooks of Steeal. You have been constantly grappling me…
From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 3 January 1823
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…and Social affections, and genuine poetical imagery that if you < will > had cultivate the muses as much as you have politicks you might have made a Shakespear, a Milton or a Pope, for anything that I know, < how > âHow sweet an Ovid, is in Murray lostâ The posey or nosegay of October 30th. is carefully…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 December 1823
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…tural, and social affections, and genuine poetical imagery; that if you had cultivated the muses as much as you have politicks, you might have made a Shakespear, a Milton, or a Pope, for any thing that I knowâ How sweet an Ovid, is in Murray lostâ The poesy, or nosegay of October 30th. is carefully locked…
From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 December 1823
Shakespeare(SHAKESPEARE)
…arter & unbowel , the best plays in the language. Poor Othello was a few nights since so cruelly mangled that I actually pitied both him & his father Shakespeare. Desdemonaâs lot was indeed a happy one compared with his. She sweet thing was smothered & there was an end of her; but he was torn to pieces inch…
From John Adams to Caleb Stark, Jr., 28 March 1824
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…the recovery of the Anglo-Saxon dialect of our language; for a mere dialect it is, as much as those of Piers Plowman Gower, Douglas Chaucer Spencer, Shakespear, Milton, for even much of Milton is already antiquated. the A-Saxon is only the earliest we possess of the many shades of mutation by which the langu…
From Thomas Jefferson to J. Evelyn Denison, 9 November 1825
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…etained. when these local vocabularies are published and digested together into a single one it is probable we shall find that there is not a word in Shakespear which is not now in use in some of the counties in England, from whence we may obtain itâs true sense. and what an exchange will their recovery be…
From Thomas Jefferson to J. Evelyn Denison, 9 November 1825
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…language which they constituted; did not make the language of Alfred a different one from that of Piers Ploughman, of Chaucer, Douglas, Spencer, and Shakespear, any more than the 2 d revolution, which substituted the Roman for the English black letter made theirs a different language from that of Pope and Bo…
Thomas Jefferson: an essay or introductory lecture...dialects of the English language, 1825, 1825
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…tion, which substituted the Roman for the English black letter made theirs a different language from that of Pope and Bolingbroke; or the writings of Shakespear, printed in black letter different from the same as now done in Roman type. the life of Alfred written in Latin, and in Roman character by Asser, was…
Thomas Jefferson: an essay or introductory lecture...dialects of the English language, 1825, 1825
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…ters of the years 890. 930. 1130. 1160. 1180. 1250. 1260. 1380. 1430. 1500. 1526. 1537. 1541. 1556. 1611. that is, from the time of Alfred to that of Shakespear. these obviously prove the gradual changes of the language from the A-S. form, to that of the present English, and that there was no particular point…
Thomas Jefferson: an essay or introductory lecture...dialects of the English language, 1825, 1825
Shakespear(SHAKESPEARE)
…us by the intimate insight it will give us into the genuine structure powers, and meanings of the language we now read and speak. we shall then read Shakespear and Milton with a superior degree of intelligence and delight, heightened by the new and delicate shades of meaning developed to us by a knolege of t…
Thomas Jefferson: an essay or introductory lecture...dialects of the English language, 1825, 1825
What to read next
The references above are the surface evidence: what a literary scholar would find by reading through every Founder document with Shakespeare in mind. They cluster heavily in John Adams; every one of the 53 high-confidence direct quotations is his. For the biographical stories behind individual references, see the case studies: the tide-in-the-affairs case study traces Adams’s repeated use of one line from Julius Caesar; the band-of-brothers case study follows Washington’s five uses of the phrase across twenty years.
For the project’s broader argument (that passage-level evidence is only half the story, and that the other half, the kind of Shakespearean inheritance that doesn’t produce quotations but does change a writer’s prose register, requires a different kind of analysis) see the Two Modes essay and the Honour Test explorer.
For shorter matches that sit below this catalogue’s seven-word threshold (four- and five-word verbatim runs with at least one distinctive Shakespeare content word) see the Candidate Echoes explorer. For cases where a Founder invokes a Shakespearean character as a moral or political type rather than naming or quoting Shakespeare directly, see Thematic Allusions. Both sit a tier below the catalogue’s confidence threshold and are published with explicit caveats.
Direct quotations are found by an exhaustive scan: every continuous sequence of five or more words in Shakespeare’s complete works is indexed, and every Founder document is then scanned for matches. Each match is rated by length and how many of the matched words are content words. Seven-word matches with at least three content words are High; six-word matches with four content words are Medium; everything below the threshold is filtered out as likely coincidence.
Named references are found by regular-expression scans for Shakespeare’s name (and its 18th-century spellings), 18 unambiguous play titles, and a curated list of distinctively Shakespearean character names (Falstaff, Iago, Wolsey, etc.). Each hit is scored: if Shakespeare himself appears within 250 characters, it’s High; if a literary cue word (play, scene, character, dramatist, etc.) appears in the surrounding window, it’s Medium; otherwise the hit is filtered out as a likely false positive.
Several categories of false positive are explicitly filtered:
Full detection scripts are in the research repository under scripts/catalogue_direct_quotes.py and scripts/catalogue_named_references.py. Read the full paper for the underlying statistics on each category.