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This particular expression does not appear in Shakespeare, but its componenents do. "Purpled" appears once or twice--always in the sense that the person's hands are "purple" with blood. "Onion-eyed" shows up in Antony and Cleopatra: the allusion is to the power of onions to make a person cry. An onion-eyed person is a teary one. "Nut-hook" is used by Doll Tearsheet in 2 Henry IV. It really is an insult, meaning a thief, one who hooks laundry off clotheslines or objects through open windows using the kind of hook used to harvest nuts.

So if bloody-handed weeping thief conveys the kind of insult you are looking for, you've got the right expression.

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What did villain mean in shakespeare time?

It meant and still means a low-born, untrustworthy rascal. It was and is an insult, but not the strongest one. This passage from King Lear should give you an idea: "What in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies."


What is a catpurse and what was it used for in the globe theatre?

It is a word invented by Shakespeare which refers to a street pick pocket. He used the word as an insult. It would be used at the Globe Theater if they were presenting a Shakespearean play.


Who said Thou art a villain You are-a senator?

In Shakespeare's "Othello" Brabantio: Thou art a villain. Iago: You are a senator. Brabantio insults Iago and Iago makes a joking insult back.


What did Shakespeare leave Judith in his will?

Shakespeare's bequest William Shakespeare famously bequeathed his "second best bed" to his wife, Anne Hathaway. Students of the Bard have argued about whether this was an insult or a compliment. The "second best bed" might have been their marital bed - the best bed being reserved for house guests - and would be a strange token of his love.


In Romeo and Juliet what does the insult paper-faced mean?

Shakespeare didn't define these phrases; he expected you to figure them out. In this case he didn't even use it: "paper-faced" does not appear in any of Shakespeare's works. But if it did, you could figure it out--what colour is paper? An expression Shakespeare did actually use was "cream-faced" (in Macbeth), and since cream and paper are the same colour, it means the same thing.

Related Questions

What insults were William Shakespeare called?

Not a lot of people wanted to insult Shakespeare, but one, Robert Greene, called him an "upstart crow."


Where did biting your thumb as an insult come from?

Biting your thumb at someone was considered a rude British insult. Also, it is a traditional Sicilian insult meaning 'the hell with you'. Kind of like an American giving somebody the finger. It's on Wikipedia.


What did villain mean in shakespeare time?

It meant and still means a low-born, untrustworthy rascal. It was and is an insult, but not the strongest one. This passage from King Lear should give you an idea: "What in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies."


What part of speech is insult?

Insult is a noun (an insult) and a verb (to insult).


Is an insult a noun or verb?

The word 'insult' is both a noun (insult, insults) and a verb (insult, insults, insulting, insulted).Examples:Look, a two dollar tip. That is an insult. (noun)You can't insult someone with that large an ego. (verb)


What is a catpurse and what was it used for in the globe theatre?

It is a word invented by Shakespeare which refers to a street pick pocket. He used the word as an insult. It would be used at the Globe Theater if they were presenting a Shakespearean play.


Who said Thou art a villain You are-a senator?

In Shakespeare's "Othello" Brabantio: Thou art a villain. Iago: You are a senator. Brabantio insults Iago and Iago makes a joking insult back.


Is the word insult a noun?

The word 'insult' is both a verb (insult, insults, insulting, insulted) and a noun (insult, insults). Example uses: Verb: Don't insult the cashier, she doesn't set the prices. Noun: The insult was not deserved and it hurt their feelings.


What is the opposite of an insult?

The opposite of an insult is a compliment.


What is the past participle of insult?

Insulted is the past participle of insult.


What is a sentence with the word insult?

You added insult to injury!I felt like that was an insult to my intelligence.You shouldn't insult other people.


When was The Insult created?

The Insult was created in 1996-11.