Shakespeare's Language Overview

Flashcards covering key terms and translations from Shakespeare's language to modern English.

What does 'adieu' mean in modern English?

Goodbye

What is the modern equivalent of 'pray' in Shakespeare's language?

I beg

How is 'anon' translated in modern English?

Soon

What does 'privy' mean today?

Informed

What is the meaning of 'art'?

are

Translate 'resolve' to modern English

Plan

What modern word corresponds to 'aye'?

Yes

What does 'sirrah' refer to in modern terms?

Boy

What is the modern translation of 'bound'?

Obliged

What does 'thither' mean today?

There

What is the modern equivalent of 'by and by'?

Soon

Translate 'tidings' into modern English.

News

What does 'conceit' mean in Elizabethan English?

Thought

What is the modern translation of 'verily'?

Truly

How is 'counsel' defined in modern English?

Advice

What does 'well met' signify?

Hello

What is the meaning of 'decree' today?

Order

Translate 'wherefore' into modern English.

Why

What does 'discourses' mean in contemporary English?

Speaks

What is the modern equivalent of 'whereto'?

To which

How is 'dispatch' defined today?

Kill

What does 'withal' translate to in modern terms?

With

What does 'doth' mean in modern English?

Does

How is 'woe' defined today?

Misery

What does 'fare thee well' mean?

Farewell

What is the modern translation of 'wrought'?

Provided

What does 'foe' mean in contemporary terms?

Enemy

What is the modern equivalent of 'hark'?

Listen

Translate 'hie' into modern English.

Go

What does 'hither' mean today?

Here

What does 'mark' mean in contemporary English?

Pay attention

What is a modern translation of 'methinks'?

I think

What does 'nay' mean today?

No

How is 'nought' defined in modern terms?

Nothing

What is the modern equivalent of 'oft'?

Often

Translate 'perchance' into contemporary English.

Maybe

What does 'plague' signify in modern terms?

Curse

What do 'thou' and 'thee' represent in modern language?

You.

When is 'thou' used in a sentence?

As the SUBJECT of the sentence.

When is 'thee' used in a sentence?

As the OBJECT of the sentence.

Translate 'deny thy father and refuse thy name'.

Deny your father and refuse your name.

What does 'if e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine' mean in modern English?

If ever you were yourself and these woes yours.

What is the modern equivalent of 'ne'er'?

Never

What does 'o'er' translate to in contemporary English?

Over

What is the modern equivalent of 'cause'?

Because

Translate 'fore' into modern English.

Before