Shakespeare’s Language

Shakespeare’s Language – Brief Historical Overview Shakespeare spoke and wrote in Early Modern English There are more similarities between our English and his than there are differences Know the differences, but do not focus too much on them FOCUS ON WHAT YOU KNOW, NOT ON WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!

Shakespeare’s Language – Brief Historical Overview Old English – spoken from about 500 – 1100 AD Germanic roots – almost unrecognizable from today’s English

Shakespeare’s Language – Brief Historical Overview Middle English – spoken from about 1100 to 1500 AD French influences from when William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066

Shakespeare’s Language – Brief Historical Overview Early Modern English – spoken from about 1500 to 1700 AD Major influences the “Great Vowel Shift” and the printing press

Shakespeare’s Language – Differences Pronouns Most pronouns in Shakespeare’s time were the same as pronouns today. Only difference was in the pronouns for “you.” THOU and THEE = YOU THY and THINE = YOUR YOU was also used but usually only in a formal sense

Shakespeare’s Language – Differences Verbs Verbs in Shakespeare’s time tended to have different endings from verbs today Most common endings were –ST, T, or TH Should’st, knowest, goest Art, goeth

Shakespeare’s Language – Differences Word Order Shakespeare was a poet, like all poetry, sometimes you have to play with the word order. “A gloomy peace with it this morning brings.” This is no different from other poetry, do not get too caught up in it.

Shakespeare’s Language – Differences Vocabulary Over the course of 450 years, our vocabulary has changed a bit Side notes in your book will help with this I will point out common words from Shakespeare’s time that we do not have today