Shakespeare's Language

The meaning of commmonly used words in Shakespeare's works.

art = are (example: art thou = are you)

canst = can (example: canst thou = can you)

didst: did (example: didst thou = did you)

dost: do (example: dost thou = do you)

doth: does (example: he doth = he does)

ere: before (example: ere long = before long)

hath: has (example: he hath = he has)

hast: have (example: hast thou = have you)

lest: incase (example: lest thou = incase you)

mine: my (example: mine book = my book)

oft: often(example: oft he doth = often he does)

shalt: shall (example: shalt thou = shall you)

thee: you (example: to thee = to you)

thou: you (example: thou must = you must)

thine: your (example: thine own = your own)

thy: your (example: thy house = your house)

thyself: yourself (example: to thyself = to yourself)

tis: it is (example: and tis kind = and it is kind)

wherefore: why (example: eherefore art thou = why are you)

wilt: will (example: wilt thou go = will you go)

Shakespeare



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