Shakespeare’s Language

L.O: To examine language used by William

Shakespeare.

Starter

Translate the Shakespearean

words into modern words,
using the options provided on
your handout.
 Answers

1. You
2. Between
3. It is
4. It was
5. Before
6. Your
7. Are
8. Bad/wicked/evil
9. I beg you/please
10.Has
11.Perhaps there is a
chance
 Not only was Shakespeare
famous for creating/coining
new words and phrases, he
was also well known for
creating many insults!
Shakespeare’s insults were varied, although
they tended towards bodily functions or
insults towards a person’s intelligence

Titus
Andronicus
Some made it clear that the speaker wanted
nothing to do with the person to whom they
were speaking.

As You Like
It
Some addressed a person’s actions or
attitude.

The Two
Gentlemen
of Verona
Some were pretty clear…

Henry IV
Part One
… others not so much.

Henry IV
Part One
 Interpreting Shakespeare’s Language

1. Look at the list of

Shakespearean insults.

2. Write down why the

insult is used/what the
insult is based
on/targeting.

3. Try to figure out what

each insult could
actually mean.
simpering puppy-headed block
decayed drone
lily-livered
shallow fancy-monger
twangling cream-faced popinjay
scurvy foul-spoken horse-drench
paltry ticklebrain
abominable iron-witted promise-breaker
juggling stretch-mouthed boggler
meddling boil
hard-hearted
superfluous flibbertigibbet

• Choose one word from each column to

Thou… create a Shakespearean insult.
• Create three insults.

Challenge
• Using your knowledge from the starter
task, create full sentences which
contain your insults.
 Plenary

Why do you think

Shakespeare
relied on insults
to create comedy
in his plays?