Shakespeare Full Circle

Today, we have a task before us. Massive; gigantic; or some would say, colossal; mightily gargantuan; of elevated importance; tremendous - and at the same time, great.

Today we head back to Northern Spain, for Uncle William's 1594 tale of lofty vows of chastity, love-struck lords, and — a filthy little mystery for you.

Today, time is running down, and perhaps out of joint, but no cursed spite. Well, actually, come to think of it, curses do come into play in our play...

Today's word has trundled through history in many shapes and sizes: strapped to the backs of donkeys; shoved into stagecoaches; heaved into the holds in ships, and wheeled briskly through airports by those who have left it a little late for their flight.

Today's word we find catalogued and categorized in the tales of two star-crossed lovers; a jealous moorish general; a rather mopey Danish prince, and even within a later sonnet.

There is something lurking... it copies voices... it shadows movement. It is a master of mockery; a chameleon of caricature. It has been walking amongst us since the Gods of Mount Olympus; wrapped in the legend of the Pharaohs of Egypt, and even woven within the lore of Ancient Britain and Scandinavia.

Sometimes, the facts are plain. The sky is blue. The toast is burnt. The dog did, in fact, eat your homework. But other times, well, it's all a bit foggier...

There is something that is stirring within my bosom. Something that can be attached to anger, coupled with curiosity, inclined to interest, and stapled to suspicions.

Today I place before you the question: what knits together Uncle Will's tale of a King who throws a royal tantrum so colossal it spans 16 years; a shepherd and a suspiciously lifelike statue, and his tumultuous tale of a winging war hero, so allergic to humility, he practically begs a mob to banish him?

Today, we start off with this question: what do the following phrases have in common? "All that glitters is not gold;" "Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble," and "Gilding the lily"?