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Understanding Shakespearean Vocabulary

The document provides background information about William Shakespeare and discusses some common misconceptions about his writing. It notes that Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and began his career as a playwright in London in the 1580s. By the 1590s, he had formed his own acting troupe and also began acquiring theaters. The document emphasizes that Shakespeare wrote in modern English, not Old English, and that his unusual vocabulary choices were poetic rather than indicative of a different language. It aims to help students analyze and understand Shakespeare's word choices in their proper context.

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133 views5 pages

Understanding Shakespearean Vocabulary

The document provides background information about William Shakespeare and discusses some common misconceptions about his writing. It notes that Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and began his career as a playwright in London in the 1580s. By the 1590s, he had formed his own acting troupe and also began acquiring theaters. The document emphasizes that Shakespeare wrote in modern English, not Old English, and that his unusual vocabulary choices were poetic rather than indicative of a different language. It aims to help students analyze and understand Shakespeare's word choices in their proper context.

Uploaded by

mcwilk
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Language of Shakespeare

Lesson Objectives
 Using Random House’s Shakespeare Aptitude Test, students
will analyze specific “trouble” words in the plays of
Shakespeare.
 Students will be able to interpret Shakespearian vocabulary in
context.
 Students will be able to explain the constant evolution of
language.
Alas poor William, I knew him.
Well, I didn’t, but I know someone who did.
 Born in Stafford-upon-Avon sometimes around 1564.
 Most likely began as a struggling, freelance playwright around the mid 1580s.
 By 1594 had formed Lord Chamberlin’s men to exclusively produce his plays.
Shakespeare himself was an actor in the troupe.
 Received the patent of new King James I. Changed their name to The King’s Men.
 Upon continued success funded the Globe Theatre in 1599, also acquired the
Blackfriars Indoor Theatre in 1608.
 By 1613 Shakespeare had stopped writing plays though his production had been in
decline since 1607.
 Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616.
 Definitive Shakespeare published in the First Folio in 1623 by two members of the
King’s Men.
 Achieved most of his status after death – notably towards the end of the 18th century
when his work was championed by great scholars such as Sam Johnson and during the
Romantic period when his work was revived and imitated by poets such as Samuel
Taylor Coleridge.
Remember, Shakespeare is a Poet!
 A common misconception of many students is that
Shakespeare wrote in Old English.
 NOT TRUE! He wrote in Modern English, the same
language we speak today.
 What confuses most students is his odd choice of
vocabulary.
 Shakespeare’s word choice was just as confusing in his
day. He used poetic language and composed words to
fit within his metric structure.
Lesson Objectives
 Using Random House’s Shakespeare Aptitude Test, students
will analyze specific “trouble” words in the plays of
Shakespeare.
 Students will be able to interpret Shakespearian vocabulary in
context.
 Students will be able to explain the constant evolution of
language.

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