Shakespeare's language!

For the sake of rhyme, meter, emphasis and voice, Shakespeare shifts away from "normal" placement of words.


1.     He rearranges subject and verbs  i.e. “I would go”  “Would I go” 

Ferdinand says, “Space enough / Have I in such a prison” (1.2.599-600)

Vs. “I have enough space in such a prison.”

Miranda says, “More to know / Did never meddle with my thoughts” (1.2.25-26)

Vs. “to know more never did meddle…”

2.     Sometimes we have to locate and arrange words that “belong together” (xix)

Prospero says,

            I, thus neglecting wordly ends, all dedicated

            To closeness and the bettering of my mind

            With that which, but by being so retired,

            O’erprized all popular rate, in my false brother

            Awaked an evil nature… (1.2.109-13)

3.     To make it even more exciting, Shakespeare will omit words!

Ferdinand says, “He does hear me, / And that he does I weep.  Myself am Naples” (1.2.520-21). 

Vs.  “He does hear me, and [it is because he does that] I weep.  [I] myself am Naples. “