Shakespeare’s Language Tricks

• Because Shakespeare wrote nearly 400 years ago, the way he writes presents problems for modern readers.

• • Most of Shakespeare’s play lines are actually

written in poetry verse.

• Although they don’t usually rhyme, they do have a set rhythm called METER (or flow)

• Rhythym = Meter = Flow!

• To achieve flow/rhythm in the play, Shakespeare manipulates syllables.

• Syllable = 1 sound unitHow many syllables are in these words?• Rainbow Creation Sam Happy

Words are arranged in the play so that some of the syllables are stressed (said more loudly) than other syllables and put into a pattern.

• Here’s the pattern: • dah DUM dah DUM dah DUM dah DUM

• Here’s how we write it on paper:• U I U I U I U I U I

dah DUM dah DUM dah DUM dah DUM dah DUM

• How many total syllables is this?• In Shakespeare’s plays,

2 syllables ( U I ) is called an iamb *What does 1 iamb sound like?

Example: this is 1 poetic line of the play

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

• Count out the meter (the beat) = dah DUM

• Mark the syllables = number them below each sound unit

• Label each iamb = U I• How many IAMBS are there in each line?

• This pattern of 5 iambs for each line of Shakespeare’s plays is called Iambic Pentameter

5 iambs = iambic penta meter

5 Tricks to decoding Shakespeare:

• Trick #1: do the Yoda!

• Turn your words around a bit

• A gloomy peace this morning with it brings.

• This morning brings a gloomy peace with it.

Trick #2: Omissions

• In order to fit the iambic pentameter pattern, words are sometimes shortened by omitting letters.

• o’er over• ‘tis it is• ‘twas it was

Trick #3: Rare Words

• Shakespeare used words that we no longer use to refer to people. They still exist, but usually you only see them in church hymn books and the Bible.

Translate these words:thou= youthine= your, yoursthee= you, to youthyself= yourself

Trick #4: Rare Verbs

• Shakespeare used verb endings that we no longer use. They still exist, but usually you only see them in church hymn books and the Bible.

Translate these words:hath= hasart= are

Trick #5: Extinct Words• Some words and phrases we no longer use at all!Translate:• Anon= soon •soft= hush• Prithee= pray to thee• mark= pay attention to, notice• Good-den= Good day •nice= stupid• Still= always •Jack= any guy• Hap= luck• Happy= lucky• Maid= girl/lady• Stay= wait