Below, you'll find a handy list of some of the most common words used by Shakespeare translated into modern English.
ABHOR - To reject, disdain
ABSOLUTE - Without flaw, perfect
ADDICTION - Tendency, proneness
BALK - To hesitate, chop; to dispute
BRAVE - Handsome
CHARACTER - Letter, word
COIL - Distress, trouble
COUCH - To go to sleep
CUNNING - Clever, sharp
DELATION - Accusation
DESERVING - Merit, reward
DRAW - To bring near, call to
EGAL - Equal
EMBOSS - To track with the intent to kill
EXPEDIENCE - Quickness
FANCY - To desire
FEAR - To scare, frighten
FRONT - To oppose, affront, object
GAST - Scared, aghast
GRAVE - To inter, bury
HEAVY - Sad, painful, mournful
HONEST - Pure
INHERIT - Given; to accept or believe
JUDICIOUS - Fair, equitable
KNAP - To hit, strike
KNAVE - A young boy, a servant
LAND - Yard
LAPSED - Shocked, overcome
MAD - Crazy, wild
MATE - To confuse; to match
NOTE - Bill, list; to take note of
O'ER-RAUHOT, O'ER WROUGHT - Overcome
OUGHT - Privy to, promised
PAINFUL - Difficult, hard to do
PALL - To wrap up
PARTICOAT - To cover in colorful fabric
PERPEND - To think of, consider
QUAINT - Beautiful, ornate
QUAKE - To shake, tremble
QUICKEN - To bring to life, bring to one's senses
RAPTURE - A fit, ecstasy
RAVIN - Likely to destroy; hunger
RESPECT - Forethought, consideration
RETIRE - To go to bed, to retreat
SHRIFT - To admit
SIMULAR - Counterfeit
STILL - Always, forever
SUBSCRIPTION - Acquiescence, obedience
TAKE - To overtake; to enthrall
TAX - Blame, censure
TESTY - Worrisome
TRIGON - A triangle
UNDERGO - To take on
UNPREGNANT - Idiotic, inane
VILE - Disgusting, hateful
VINDICTIVE - Vengeful
WALL-EYED - Wide-eyed, angry, surprised
WANT - To lack
WHEREFORE - Why
YARE - Prepared, ready
YOUNG - Recent
ZANY - Idiotic, clownish
Sample Shakespearean Phrases
That was fun, right? In some senses, it's almost like a different language. But, in truth, we say a lot of things today thatShakespeare himself coined. Some of the most notable phrases include:
All that glitters isn't gold. (fromMacbeth)
Break the ice (fromThe Taming of the Shrew)
A brave new world (fromThe Tempest)
In my heart of hearts (fromHamlet)
Jealousy is a green-eyed monster (fromOthello)
The world is my oyster (fromThe Merry Wives of Windsor)
When you have a moment, take a look at theShakespeare Birthplace Trust. They list even more words and phrases that, despite their inception over 400 years ago, we still speak today.
Shakespeare's Pronouns
Elizabethan English used a set ofpronounsthan we're used to. The first person -- I, me, my, and mine -- remains basically the same.
The second-person singular (you, your, yours), however, is translated like so:
"Thou" for "you" (nominative, as in "Thouhast risen.")
"Thee" for "you" (objective, as in "I give this tothee.")
"Thy" for "your" (genitive, as in "Thydagger floats before thee.")
"Thine" for "yours" (possessive, as in "What's mine isthine.")
Shakespearean English Is Modern English
Because of the oddities and complexities inherent in the language of Shakespeare, sometimeshis worksseem incomprehensible. However, you may be surprised to know that William Shakespeare's English is technically modern English!
That's right, much of the language spoken by William Shakespeare(known as Elizabethan English)is still in use today, and is distinct from Middle English (the language ofGeoffrey Chaucer, who wroteThe Canterbury Tales) and Early English (as found inBeowulf).
This does not mean, however, that Shakespeare's English uses the exact same words and phrases that we use but formed the basis of today's English. In fact, some of his phrases are very different from anything you've ever heard.
Source: Shakespeare Translator
