Some Help with the Language of Shakespeare’s Time
Pronouns
thou – you (subject)
thee – you (object)
ye – you (object plural)
thy – your
thine – yours
mine – my
A’ – he
Verb Endings – Examples
-th
-st
-eth
hast – 2nd person singular present
hath – 3rd person singular present
didst
doth, dist
wast
art
wilth
wert
know’st
gav’st
Some Common but Different Verbs
hie – go, hurry
wax – like the moon
wane – like the moon
foreswear – swear not to deny
forsake – forgotten, left
Prithee – ask
-ed verb endings pronounced
armed unless an apostrophe was
substituted for the “e” – seem’d
Greetings and Expressions
How now?
coz – cousin or relative
marry (or indeed! By the Virgin Mary)
sir
sirrah – customary for of address to servants
aye, nay – yes, no
go to – leave
God gi’ go-den – God give you a good evening
Stage Directions
Flourish – fanfare of trumpets
Exit
Exeunt – plural of exit
Contractions
i'faith – I have faith, in good faith, honestly
t’is – it is
‘ware – aware
o'er – over
‘a – he
e'en – even
‘o – on or of
Adverbs or Prepositions
wence – when
hence – now
thence – then
thither – there
hither – here
whither – where
wherefore – why
anon – right away
forsooth – in trust
fain – gladly
henceforth – from now on
lest – unless
nought – nothing
withal – nevertheless
forswear – to deny, renounce
Other Expressions
tut – expression of disapproval or disbelief
ere – before
sans – without
sooth – truth
as lief – as soon
soft! – wait!
lest – unless, for fear of
fay – faith
fond – foolish
apothecary – pharmacist
shrift – confession
bescreened – hidden
cholar – anger, wrath
yonder – farther, more distant
adversary – enemy
straight – honest
tetchy – touchy, irritable
childst – scold
heavy – tedious, dull
consort – talk or meet
wot – to know (1st, 2nd, and 3rd person)