1. Understand Shakespeare Language
William Shakespeare
Understand Shakespeare Language

2. 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

3. 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)

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

5. 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)

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?”

11. 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

12. 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)

13. The Comedy of Errors
Shakespeare followed Aristotle’s rules for playwriting with Comedy of Errors
Single plot line
Unity of time
Unity of space