Shakespeare’s Language

Shakespeare’s English A. Old English B. Middle English C. Modern English

Compare to Beowulf Old English Ða com of more under misthleoþum Grendel gongan, Godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða manna cynnes sumne besyrwan in sele þam hean. Wod under wolcnum to þæs þe he winreced, goldsele gumena gearwost wisse fættum fahne. Ne wæs þæt forma sið, þæt he Hroþgares ham gesohte; næfre he on aldordagum ær ne siþðan

Old English (Modern Translation) Compare to Beowulf Old English (Modern Translation) Then from the moorland, by misty crags, with God's wrath laden, Grendel came. The monster was minded of mankind now sundry to seize in the stately house. Under welkin he walked, till the wine-palace there, gold-hall of men, he gladly discerned, flashing with fretwork. Not first time, this, that he the home of Hrothgar sought, -- yet ne'er in his life-day, late or early, such hardy heroes, such hall-thanes, found!

Compare to Canterbury Tales Middle English Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote the droute of March hath perced to the roote and bathed every veine in sweech licour, of which vertu engenred is the flour… And specially from ev’ry shires ende of Englonde to Canterbury they wende the hooly blissfull martyr for to seeke that hem hath holpen whan that they were seke.

Romeo & Juliet Modern English Romeo: Was that my father that went hence so fast? Benvolio: It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours? Benvolio: Be ruled by me; forget to think of her. Romeo: O, teach me how I should forget to think!

Why Shakespeare’s Language is Difficult Vocabulary Word Order (irregular sentence structure) Pronouns (thee, thou, thy, thine) Verb Conjugations (doth, art, wilt, giveth)

Reverse Word Order Pay attention to the Subject, Verb, and Object in the sentence. Remember to read Shakespeare’s poetry as spoken sentences.

Reverse Word Order Often the Verb Parts are split up. Paris: Younger than she are happy mothers made. Sometimes the verb or object comes first instead of the subject. Lady Montague: O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray.

Pronouns Almost all pronouns are the same in Shakespeare’s English and our English. The main exception is the second person singular (you).

Shakespeare’s Pronoun Pronouns Second Person Singular How it is used Our Pronoun Shakespeare’s Pronoun Subject You Thou Object You Thee Thy Possessive Adjective Your Thine Possessive Noun Yours

The main exceptions are the second and third person singular. Verb Conjugations Almost all Verb Conjugations are exactly the same in Shakespeare’s English and our English. The main exceptions are the second and third person singular.

Verb Conjugations No ending (you give) Add – st (thou givest) Verb Form Our English Shakespeare’s English 2nd Person Singular (you) No ending (you give) Add – st (thou givest) 3rd Person Singular (he/she/it) Add – s (he gives) Add – th (he giveth)

Romeo: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright. Verb Conjugations Romeo: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright. Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.