William Shakespeare Understanding Shakespeare Language

English Old English Old English –Anglo/Saxon; German influence Middle English Middle English –French influence Modern English Modern English –Shakespeare’s English is considered Modern but it is still older than today’s version

Languages change over time Languages change over time –Word order can be different Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders His only gift is in devising impossible slanders –Words come in/out of use thou; ye; thine –Word meaning changes chink = cash (then) chink = sound a chain makes (now)

Formal vs. Familiar Three different ways to say “you” Three different ways to say “you” –You –Thou –Ye How these words are used tells us about the character and relationship

Formal vs. Familiar Thou – informal, used among friends, to address children or servants, God Thou – informal, used among friends, to address children or servants, God –(think Bible: written for the commoner) –Thou/thee Dost thou know who speaks to thee? Dost thou know who speaks to thee? Do you know who speaks to you? Do you know who speaks to you? You – formal, to address a stranger or someone of higher station You – formal, to address a stranger or someone of higher station Ye – plural form (you all; y’all) Ye – plural form (you all; y’all)

Formal vs. Familiar Thy & thine are possessives of thou Thy & thine are possessives of thou –Use thy before consonants, thine before vowels Lovers and friends use thou Lovers and friends use thou

Verbs Thou art: you are Thou art: you are Thou hast: you have Thou hast: you have –With thou you add a t, st,or est to the verb –Thou shalt, thou canst, thou dost, thou knowest, thou wilt Shakespeare mixes his verbs: Shakespeare mixes his verbs: –Ist/is; hath/has Sometime they added eth: knoweth Sometime they added eth: knoweth

Contractions Is’tis it Is’tis it ‘tit ‘tit ‘tisit is ‘tisit is o’erover o’erover e’erever e’erever ne’ernever ne’ernever Alter’dalteredread the same Alter’dalteredread the same

Common Words A: he A: he An, and: if An, and: if Anon: soon Anon: soon Brave: courageous, but also splendid Brave: courageous, but also splendid Conceit: thought Conceit: thought Cousin, coz: relative or close friend Cousin, coz: relative or close friend Cuckold: husband of an unfaithful wife Cuckold: husband of an unfaithful wife Cur: dog Cur: dog Fain: gladly Fain: gladly Forsooth: truth Forsooth: truth

Common Words Gaol: jail Gaol: jail Hap; haply: perhaps Hap; haply: perhaps Hence: away from here Hence: away from here Hither: here Hither: here Mistress: can be applied to any woman Mistress: can be applied to any woman Sirrah: addresses a man or boy of low station Sirrah: addresses a man or boy of low station Tarry: wait Tarry: wait Thence: away from here Thence: away from here Troth: faith Troth: faith Welkin: sky Welkin: sky Wench: girl or young woman Wench: girl or young woman Wherefore: why Wherefore: why Whither: “where to?” Whither: “where to?”

Playing with Words Puns Puns – double meanings Malapropisms Malapropisms –Using words incorrectly Slapstick Slapstick –Physical humor Comic Interludes Comic Interludes –Funny moments/scenes Bawdiness Bawdiness –Dirty but not filthy (coarse) Innuendo Innuendo –Subtle jokes with a sexual connotation

Will’s Structure Five Acts Five Acts –First act: introduces the characters and sets up the story –Second act: expands the story; comedy- the situation usually involves some confusion –Third act: pivotal act. Comedy-confusion is at its maximum –Fourth act: action unfolds; plans collide –Five Act: brings all the pieces together; heroes learn their lesson (comedy – lovers are married)

The Comedy of Errors Shakespeare followed Aristole’s rules for playwriting with Comedy of Errors Shakespeare followed Aristole’s rules for playwriting with Comedy of Errors –Single plot line –Unity of time –Unity of space