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Understand Shakespeare Language
William Shakespeare Understand Shakespeare Language
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English Old English Middle English Modern English
Anglo/Saxon; German influence Middle English French influence Modern English Shakespeare’s English is considered Modern but it is still older than today’s version
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Languages change over time
Word order can be different 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 (connotation) chink = cash (then) chink = sound a chain makes (now)
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Formal vs. Familiar Three different ways to say “you” You Thou Ye
How these words are used tells us about the character and relationship
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Formal vs. Familiar 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? Do you know who speaks to you? You – formal, to address a stranger or someone of higher station Ye – plural form (you all; y’all)
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Formal vs. Familiar Thy & thine are possessives of thou
Use thy before consonants, thine before vowels Lovers and friends use thou
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Verbs Thou art: you are Thou hast: you have
With thou you had a t, st ,or est to the verb Thou shalt, thou canst, thou dost, thou knowest, thou wilt Shakespeare mixes his verbs: Ist/is; hath/has Sometime they added eth: knoweth
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Contractions Is’t is it ‘t it ‘tis it is o’er over e’er ever
ne’er never Alter’d altered read the same
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Common Words A: he An, and: if Anon: soon
Brave: courageous, but also splendid Conceit: thought Cousin, coz: relative or close friend Cuckold: husband of an unfaithful wife Cur: dog Fain: gladly Forsooth: truth
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Common Words Gaol: jail Hap; haply: perhaps Hence: away from here
Hither: here Mistress: can be applied to any woman Sirrah: addresses a man or boy of low station Tarry: wait Thence: away from here Troth: faith Welkin: sky Wench: girl or young woman Wherefore: why Whither: “where to?”
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Playing with Words Puns Malapropisms Slapstick Comic Interludes
double meanings Malapropisms Using words incorrectly Slapstick Physical humor Comic Interludes Funny moments/scenes Bawdiness Dirty but not filthy (coarse) Innuendo Subtle jokes with a sexual connotation
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Will’s Structure 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)
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The Comedy of Errors Shakespeare followed Aristotle’s rules for playwriting with Comedy of Errors Single plot line Unity of time Unity of space
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