UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF SHAKESPEARE

First let’s review some facts about Shakespeare… Born April 23, 1564— died April 23, 1616 Born April 23, 1564— died April 23, 1616 Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon Parents: John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Parents: John and Mary Arden Shakespeare

Here are a few more interesting facts… Shakespeare was 17 or 18 when he married. His wife, Anne Hathaway, was 26. Shakespeare was 17 or 18 when he married. His wife, Anne Hathaway, was 26. In his will, Shakespeare left his wife his "second-best" bed. In his will, Shakespeare left his wife his "second-best" bed. Dictionaries as we know them today were not available in Shakespeare's time. Dictionaries as we know them today were not available in Shakespeare's time. No one knows how Shakespeare died. Among the possibilities are kidney disease, murder most foul, and too much to drink. No one knows how Shakespeare died. Among the possibilities are kidney disease, murder most foul, and too much to drink. Citation:

Shakespeare’s Writing Shakespeare wrote 37 plays within a 21 year span Made up over 1,000 words that are still being used today He also wrote 154 sonnets I can’t think of the word… I can’t think of the word…

Now let’s get into the language…

DID YOU KNOW… The English language contains about 300,000 words The English language contains about 300,000 words The average person's vocabulary consists of only about 3,000 words The average person's vocabulary consists of only about 3,000 words Students probably get by on a daily basis with about 150. Students probably get by on a daily basis with about 150. William Shakespeare used a vocabulary of about 15,000 words, some of which he invented. William Shakespeare used a vocabulary of about 15,000 words, some of which he invented.

History of English Language Year Kind of English Language of… 450–1100 Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Beowulf 1100–1500 Middle English Chaucer 1500–1650 Early Modern English (Renaissance English) Shakespeare 1650–present Modern English (or Present-Day English) Today

Beowulf – Old English Original line in Beowulf –H–H–H–Hwaet! We Gardena in geardagum, Þeodcyninga Þrym gefrunonHu ða æÞelingas ellen fremedon! Translation: –(–(–(–(Hey! We have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes in the old days, the kings of tribes, how noble princes showed great courage!)

Canterbury – Middle English Original line in Canterbury Tales Original line in Canterbury Tales Whan that Aprill with his shoures sote Whan that Aprill with his shoures sote Translation Translation When April with its sweet showers When April with its sweet showers

Shakespeare – Early Modern English Original LineTranslation When to the sessions of sweet silent thought When in these sessions of enjoyable silent thought I summon up remembrance of things past, I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought, And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste: And I sorrowfully remember that I wasted the best years of my life:

Shakespeare – Early Modern English Original LineTranslation When to the sessions of sweet silent thought When in these sessions of gratifying silent thought I summon up remembrance of things past, I think of the past, I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought, I lament my failure to achieve all that I wanted, And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste: And I sorrowfully remember that I wasted the best years of my life:

Shakespeare’s Creations… Shakespeare coined many words we still use today: Critical Majestic Dwindle And quite a few phrases as well: Flesh and blood Vanish into thin air See

FINALLY…HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR READING SHAKESPEARE (REMEMBER, HE WROTE CLOSE TO 500 YEARS AGO!!!) (REMEMBER, HE WROTE CLOSE TO 500 YEARS AGO!!!)

Language Tip # 1 He sometimes changed grammar He sometimes changed grammar We would say: Who is here? Shakespeare says: Who goes there?

Language Tip #2 He sometimes omitted words or letters He sometimes omitted words or letters We say: “I entreated (invited) him to come along.” Shakespeare says: “I entreated him along.”

Language Tip #3 –H–H–H–He sometimes used the archaic form of the pronoun “you” (thou, thy thine, thee). We say:Have you lost your mind? Shakespeare says:“Has’t thou gone mad!”

Language Tip # 4 Make an effort!!! –Read the play, an act, a line TWICE –Take notes –Read the play aloud –Keep a cast list handy –Summarize the action –Ask questions Dos’t thou comprehend