Ah Shakespeare. The immortal bard has given us some amazing things: notable additions to the English language, some seriously harrowing tragedies and, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have Baz Luhrmann’s gun-toting, sexed up version of Romeo and Juliet (Leonardo Di Caprio how are ya?) William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. During his lifetime he published 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two longer poems, three epitaphs and several other poems. So basically he was sort of a workaholic. Over the years, his plays have been translated into every major language in the world and are the most performed set of plays in the history of all time. Today marks Shakespeare’s 450th birthday. To celebrate here are a handful of quotes from the bard that you can totally use in the modern day. Shakespeare is the reason why you have to study King Lear for your Leaving Cert 1. “Get thee to a nunnery, go. Farewell!” (Hamlet): This is the perfect line to use when your BFF is recounting the adventures of a night out. It basically means that the girl needs to calm down and get herself to a convent. Stat. 2. “I desire that we be better strangers.” (As You Like It): This little quip is perfect for when you’re being chatted up by a fella that you have no interest in. Dude, I desire that we be better strangers. Now leave me alone. You’re scaring off the actual talent. 3. “Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood!” (King Lear): It’s harsh, it’s mean but it’s the perfect way to end an argument. You bust out this line in the middle of a row and the other person will be so shocked they just won’t know how to respond. 4. “The course of true love never did run smooth.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream): This line is perfect for when you’re comforting a friend who has just been dumped. Basically what you’re saying is that true love is never easy. This line is comforting and oddly soothing, especially if you’re bawling over a d**khead who just dumped you by phone. 5. “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.” (Twelfth Night): This is the best thing you can say when your boyfriend/sister/whoever gets a new job and they’re worried about their first day. Throw this line out and you’ll seem super-intelligent. You’ll also calm them down. Win/win situation! 6. “I scorn you, scurvey companion!” (Henry IV): In need of an epic comeback when your friends are slagging you to death? Counter their jeers with this little beaut. They won’t be able to tell if you’re serious or just messing. Either way, they probably won’t annoy you as much. If it wasn't for Shakespeare we wouldn't have experienced this crazy romantic scene 7. “You are strangely troublesome.” (Henry VIII): Can be used as a come-on. Just add a cheeky little wink and a suggestive tone of voice and you’re sorted. 8. “All days are nights to see till I see thee, And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.” (Sonnet 43): This is a good quote to use when your boyfriend is complaining about the fact that you’ve been watching TOWIE for the past four hours and there’s football on. Simply dazzle him with a smile and spew mushy, lovey-dovey Shakespeare lines at him until he goes away. 9. “Thou unfit for any place but hell!” (Richard III):  The best thing about this insult is that it can be used in a variety of ways. You could say it to someone who is majorly p*****g you off. You could yell it at your fella during a fight. You could scream it at your computer when it starts acting up. See? The possibilities are endless... 10. “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.” (Othello): Shakespeare could be cruel when he wanted to be, however, this harsh comment is perfect when you’re dealing with a frenemy who has an affection for fake hair and/or nails. 11. “Men from children nothing differ.” (Much Ado About Nothing): This is one line that wouldn’t be out of place in an episode of Sex and the City. The next time you’re having cocktails with the girls, say this. You’ll have them in stitches! Note: you probably shouldn’t say this in front of your other half. Men have feelings too. 12. “Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!” (Julius Caesar): This line should only be used when you’re taking off your bra after a long day and/or when you finally get to kick off that pair of killer heels that have been crushing your toes all night long.