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Dost thou understand Shakespeare?
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AP Photo/Brennan Linsley
I’ve often heard that people turn away from Shakespearean plays because they do not understand the language. As actors, we push ourselves to make seemingly nonsensical words into an easy to understand story. Thus, we spend hours pouring over books to make sure that we do in fact understand what is being said and the connotations of how it is said. When you really start to delve into Shakespeare, you begin to understand what a genius he was. Writing primarily in iambic pentameter is no easy task, but the deeper meanings and complicated relationships just add so much depth to his work – that is if you can understand it. Luckily, it’s much easier to understand Shakespeare when it is performed because the actors have done all the research for you and have pushed themselves to make the words clearer to others. Still, it helps to understand what some of the words mean.
What does “thou,” “thee,” “thy,” and “thine” mean and why doesn’t he just write “you” or “your?”
These are all words used in Shakespeare. “You” and “your” are formal and often used to address an elder or someone of a higher social standing. “Thou,” “thee,” “thy,” and “thine” are informal and used when addressing someone of equal social standing.
What are some of the common words in Shakespeare?
Anon – soon, now, immediately
Avaunt – Leave! Withdraw! Away!
Belike – probably
Beseech – to implore, to beg
Betimes – early or occasionally
Betwixt – between
Bourn – boundary, limit
Bruit (not to be confused with “brute”) – noise, rumor
Cozen – to cheat, trick
Cuckold – a man married to an unfaithful wife
Ere – before
Fie – Shame on you!
Forsooth, verily – truly, really
Haply – by chance, perhaps
Meed – merit, a reward
Morrow – morning or tomorrow
Prithee - please
Soft – stop
Whence – from where
Wherefore – why
More questions? Contact me at writtenbyangela@yahoo.com.
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