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Why do people in Shakespeare plays talk so funny? |
Why doth thou speaketh so strangeth? Have you ever heard of William Shakespeare? Maybe you've heard of some of the plays he wrote, like Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Night's Dream? Have you ever noticed that the words used in these plays sound a little different from those we use today?
William Shakespeare was a very, very famous playwright and poet who lived from 1564-1616. That's a long time ago! It is thought that he wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets (which are like poems). His plays are produced all around the world and have been performed more than those of any other playwright. In fact, they have been translated from English into every major language in the world!
Words and language develop and change over time, which is why some of the Shakespearian words sound a little strange to us today. For example, 400 years ago people used to say “Thou” instead of “You” and “Doth” instead of “Do”. Another reason these plays may sound unusual to your ear is because they are written in a more formal way, similar to poetry, called verse.
Brush up your Shakespeare!
Try practicing these Shakespearian quotes out loud! If you need a little help, ask an adult to give you a hand…..and some applause!
“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
“Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing.”