Early Modern English

Shakespeare’s language was a rather different one from English spoken today across the
United Kingdom, the United States, and the Commonwealth. Thee, thou, thine, doth or hast can
be quite frightening when found written in old English plays, such as the ones by the bard
from Stratford-Upon-Avon. For example, what we say today “you have” early modern
speakers of the English language said “thou hast”. It seems a completely different language.
Luckily, there are some basic differences from current English that we can learn, for us to
be better prepared to read Shakespeare’s theatre.

First, the pronouns. As you may noticed, the second person singular pronouns are quite
different than those from today’s language. Indeed, the only main difference, insofar as
pronouns are concerned, between Early Modern English and Contemporary English are the
second person informal singular pronouns. These are:

- Thou, thee, thy, thine, thyself.

We should specially remember that the difference between “thou” and “thee” is the same as
the difference between “I” and “me”. Also, “thy” and “thine” are used to express possession,
for example “thy book is in the table”. “Thyself” is equivalent to “yourself”. Also, sometimes,
“you” in the plural form can be written as “ye”.

Insofar as the verbs are concerned, the following table should be useful 1. The differences
between Contemporary English and Early Modern English are marked in bold:

Person/Number Present Tense Past Tense Present/past Present/past

perfective aspect progressive aspect
1st. Sing. I pray I prayed I have/had prayed I am/was praying
1st. Pl. We pray We prayed We have/had prayed We are/were praying
2nd. Sing. Thou pray(e)st Thou prayedst Thou hast/ hadst Thou art/wert
prayed praying
2nd. Sing and Pl. You (Ye) pray You (Ye) prayed You (Ye) have/had You (ye) are/were
prayed praying
3rd. Sing He/she prayeth He/she prayed He/she hath He/she is/was
has/had prayed praying
3rd. Pl. They pray They prayed They have/have They are/were
prayed praying

1
Extracted from Nevalainen, Terttu, An Introduction to Early Modern English, Edinburgh, Edinburgh
University Press, 2006.
Also a fundamental and helpful glossary2:

Common words and phrases with different meaning in present-day English

Ay = yes (response); ah (regret)

Aye = always

base = low, unworthy, dishonorable

brave = fine, excellent, splendid

become = be fitting, appropriate to

by and by = soon, shortly, immediatly

counterfeit = copy, imitate; pretend, feign

forbear = stop

forswear = sweear falsely, commit perjury

gentle = noble, well-born

haply = perhaps, by chance

humour = mood, disposition

ill = bad, adverse; badly

list = wish

methinks = it seems to me

perplex = trouble, afflict, torment.

present = immediate, instant

several = separate, different

still = always, constantly

vex = afflict with mental agitation or trouble; distress deeply or seriously; to torment with
worry or despair.

want = lack, need, be without

2
From Jesús Tronch Perez A basic guide to early modern English in literature. Accesible in
https://www.uv.es/tronch/stu/Guide_Early_Modern_English.html
wanton = sexually unrestrained, lascivious, lecherous; playful, lively; luxuriant, lush,
exuberant

warrant = assure, promise

why = exclamation adding emphasis or expressing surprise

wit = intelligence; mental sharpness

Words and phrases that nowadays are archaic or literary

an = if

anon = soon

aught = anything

eke = also, moreover

ere = before

erst = formerly; not long ago; at first; in the first place

fain = (usually with ‘would’) gladly, willingly

Pedringano. thou wouldst fain furnish me with a halter to disfurnish me of my habit

The King sees me, and fain would hear my suit

had as lief = should like just as much

quoth = said

travail = painful effort

woe = great distress

wot = learn, know, have knowledge

Discourse markers in dramatic dialogue :
How now = excl. surprise, reproach

I prithee = (I beg you) X draws Y’s attention to a point

But soft = (Stop, hold on) X lets know Y the topic is changing

Nay = (rather) nuance of alternative or contrast

“Nay, answer me” introductory word to a response, expressing reservation

Nay, but = (never mind what you have just said, what about this other topic)

Nay, more = (furthermore) X reformulates or adds to a point

Nay, when = (impatience)

Ay = yes (response); ah (regret)

Alas = exclamation, usually regret or indignation

fie = disgust, indigation, shame

Lo = (Look!)

Hark / Hark you = (Listen!)

Peace / Soft = (Be quiet!)

Mark / Good now = (Pay attention!)