ALACK, A LIST Getting to know Shakespeare’s high-frequency archaic sight words.
Shakespeare’s Language · -Shakespeare’s language includes 30,000 words.-Today, a typical...
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Understanding Shakespeare’s Language Did people in Shakespeare’s time speak how he wrote? Good dawning to thee, sir! How dost thou? Shakespeare or Hip Hop? Did people in Shakespeare’s time speak how he wrote? NO. It was intentional for the following poetic and dramatic purposes: 1. To create a specific poetic rhythm. 2. To emphasize certain words. 3. To give a character a specific speech pattern.
Transcript of Shakespeare’s Language · -Shakespeare’s language includes 30,000 words.-Today, a typical...
Understanding Shakespeare’s Language
Did people in Shakespeare’s time speak how he wrote?
Good dawning to thee, sir!How dost thou?
Shakespeare or Hip Hop? Did people in Shakespeare’s time speak how he wrote? NO.It was intentional for the following poetic and dramatic purposes:1. To create a specific poetic rhythm.2. To emphasize certain words.3. To give a character a specific speech pattern.
Feature #1: Inverted Sentence Arrangement
“I ate the sandwich.” subject + verb + object 1.)2.) 3.)4.)
Feature #1: Inverted Sentence Arrangement
“I ate the sandwich.” subject + verb + object 1.) The sandwich I ate.2.) Ate I the sandwich.3.) I the sandwich ate.4.) The sandwich ate I.
Feature #1: Inverted Sentence Arrangement
Shakespeare’s order = verb + object + subject- Locate the subject, verb, and the object of the
sentence. - Rearrange the words in the order that makes
the most sense to you.
Feature #1: Inverted Sentence Arrangement1. A glooming peace this morning with it brings.
2. But soft what light through yonder window breaks.
3. Away from light steals home my heavy son.
Feature #1: Inverted Sentence Arrangement1. A glooming peace this morning with it brings.This morning brings a glooming peace.2. But soft what light through yonder window breaks. Through the yonder window soft light breaks.3. Away from light steals home my heavy son.My heavy son steals away from light.
Feature #2: Language Omission- Shakespeare often left out letters, syllables,
and whole words.MODERN LANGUAGE: SHAKESPEARE:
“Have you been to class yet?”“No, I have not been to class. I heard the teacher is giving a test today.”“What is up with that?”
“Been to class?”“No. Heard teach’s givin’ a test.”“Wha’sup wi’that?”
Feature #2: Language OmissionCommon Shakespearean Contractions:
‘tis ope
o’er gi’
ne’er i’
e’er oft
a’ e’en
Feature #2: Language OmissionCommon Shakespearean Contractions:
‘tis it is ope open
o’er over gi’ give
ne’er never i’ in
e’er ever oft often
a’ at e’en even
Feature #3: Unusual Words- Shakespeare’s language
includes 30,000 words.- Today, a typical person’s
vocabulary includes 6,000-15,000 words.
Feature #4: Varying Forms of AddressShakespeare used 3 different words to say YOU:1. Thou: Informal; used among friends and to address a child or servant. 2. Thee: Formal; used to address a stranger, or someone of a high station. 3. Ye: Plural, or synonym for you (like “y’all”).
Romeo & Juliet’s Prologue Romeo & Juliet’s Prologue● In your group, translate your line from the
Prologue of Romeo & Juliet from Shakespearean English to Modern English.
● Practice saying the line together as a group, both in Shakespearean English and in Modern English.
● Be ready to recite both versions to perform for the class.
Romeo & Juliet’s PrologueShakespearean English Modern English
1.) In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, The story takes place in Verona,
2.) From ancient grudge breaks new mutiny An old grudge causes a new fight
3.) Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean People kill people
4.) From forth the fatal loins of these two foes From the children of two enemies,
5.) A pair of star cross’d lovers take their life A cursed couple kills themselves.
6.) Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Their unfortunate deaths put a stop
Romeo & Juliet’s PrologueShakespearean English Modern English
7.) Doth with their death bury their parents strife Their deaths ends the fight
8.) The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love The story of their doomed love
9.) And the continuance of their parents’ rage And their parents’ anger
10.) Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove
That only their children’s deaths could stop.
11.) Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage Is a story that takes place in two hours
Romeo & Juliet’s PrologueShakespearean English Modern English
12.) The which, if you with patient ears attend, If you patiently listen,
13.) What here shall miss our toil shall strive to mend.
We shall fill you in on the details of the story.
Romeo & Juliet’s Prologue1.) Why do you think Shakespeare used the form of a
sonnet for the Prologue? 2.) We know from the beginning that Romeo and Juliet are
going to die. Why would Shakespeare do that? How does it affect your view of the play?
3.) How is the following described in the Prologue:- Love - Hate - Family - Fate
4.) What kind of overall tone does the Prologue set for the play? What specifically makes you say that?
