Shakespeare’s works are a treasure trove of linguistic richness, and his farewells are no exception. Whether you’re a theatre buff, a history lover, or just someone who enjoys a dramatic exit, these phrases will add a touch of Elizabethan elegance to your goodbyes.
1. 'Fare thee well'
Fare thee well
/fɛər ðiː wɛl/“Goodbye”
Example: "Fare thee well, and if for ever, still for ever, fare thee well." (Othello)
2. 'Parting is such sweet sorrow'
Parting is such sweet sorrow
/ˈpɑːrtɪŋ ɪz sʌtʃ swiːt ˈsɒrəʊ/“Goodbye is bittersweet”
Example: "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." (Romeo and Juliet)
3. 'Adieu'
Adieu
/əˈdjuː/“Goodbye”
Example: "Adieu, adieu, adieu! Remember me." (Hamlet)
4. 'Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things'
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things
/ɡəʊ hɛns, tə hæv mɔːr tɔːk ɒv ðiːz sæd θɪŋz/“Let’s leave this sad topic”
Example: "Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things; some shall be pardon’d, and some punished." (Romeo and Juliet)
5. 'Till we meet again'
Till we meet again
/tɪl wiː miːt əˈɡeɪn/“Until we see each other again”
Example: "Farewell, my lord: till we meet again." (Henry VI, Part 3)
6. 'God be wi’ you'
God be wi’ you
/ɡɒd biː wɪ juː/“God be with you”
Example: "God be wi’ you, and with all Christian souls!" (Henry VIII)
7. 'I take my leave of you'
I take my leave of you
/aɪ teɪk maɪ liːv ɒv juː/“I bid you farewell”
Example: "I take my leave of you; good night, Benedick." (Much Ado About Nothing)
8. 'Farewell, my friends'
Farewell, my friends
/ˈfɛəwɛl, maɪ frɛndz/“Goodbye, my friends”
Example: "Farewell, my friends, farewell!" (Julius Caesar)
9. 'Away, and mock the time with fairest show'
Away, and mock the time with fairest show
/əˈweɪ, ænd mɒk ðə taɪm wɪð ˈfɛərɪst ʃəʊ/“Leave, and deceive with appearances”
Example: "Away, and mock the time with fairest show: false face must hide what the false heart doth know." (Macbeth)
10. 'Good night, sweet prince'
Good night, sweet prince
/ɡʊd naɪt, swiːt prɪns/“Goodbye, dear friend”
Example: "Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." (Hamlet)
11. 'I shall say good night till it be morrow'
I shall say good night till it be morrow
/aɪ ʃæl seɪ ɡʊd naɪt tɪl ɪt biː ˈmɒrəʊ/“I’ll say good night until tomorrow”
Example: "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." (Romeo and Juliet)
12. 'Exit, pursued by a bear'
Exit, pursued by a bear
/ˈɛksɪt, pəˈsjuːd baɪ ə bɛər/“A sudden and dramatic exit”
Example: "Exit, pursued by a bear." (The Winter’s Tale)
