Role Of Syntax In Shakespeare's English

William Shakespeare, a famous playwright and actor from England during the sixteenth century, in his play “Romeo and Juliet,” utilizes diction, syntax, and tone in an effort to convey the personalities of the characters during the prince’s speech. This speech in the first scene of the play gives viewers and readers alike a powerful introduction to many of the main characters in the play. William Shakespeare, in his play “Romeo and Juliet,” utilizes diction during the prince’s speech in an effort to convey the many different aspects of the prince’s personality. Shakespeare uses diction when he writes “With purple fountains issuing from you veins” (1.1.78). Shakespeare’s word choice in this line emphasizes the severity of the prince’s threat.

Have you ever wondered why Shakespeare uses so many descriptive words that could really be said in one? Or why some characters speak in rhyme and sometimes not? Shakespeare writes in this way to show how the characters feel through the rhythmic and descriptive words that they use. How the characters speak also shows how sincere and loving they are. Shakespeare had a way of writing that informed us about the characters and what we needed to know about them and also makes it interesting to read.

The use of descriptive language is important for the writer to entertain, persuade and teleport the reader into their work. Descriptive use and imagery allow the reader to experience the setting, sound, taste, and mood as if they can live through it. Which takes us to Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Not only does he use exceptional details and imagery throughout the play between the characters, but the way he uses word allows us to put ourselves into the play as if we can feel what they feel. It also allows us to experience and go through the play as if we are in it also. So in this paper, I would like to focus on a few major moments where I believe Shakespeare descriptive language is the strongest.

   In Othello, Shakespeare explores the relationship between words and events. Spoken thought, in the play, has all the power of action; speaking about an event will make that event become reality for those who hear - it will affect reality as if that event had taken place. Shakespeare demonstrates the power of words poignantly through Othello's monologues. Othello struggles with the reality that Iago creates for him. When Othello speaks, he reveals that he is unable to stop himself from carrying out acts that Iago's and his own words have prophesied and initiated. Othello's monologues further demonstrate that even the knowledge of the power of words cannot protect the characters from the

Language Techniques in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Shakespeare used a variety of language techniques throughout Hamlet,

Shakespeare was very specific, in 1603, about his choice of words when he wrote the play, “Othello”. The three language devices – “words as power”, “words as character” and “words as conversation” with the audience – are used to create characters’ identities and fates, and also to drive the plot of the play (Krieger, 2012).

An example of this is that when Othello and Emilia are talking, Emilia’s responses are quick and straightforward. This makes her appear direct in that instance while Othello uses long and drawn out sentences. This can be interpreted to be caused by his jealousy and presents him as very uncertain since he repeats himself many times. Shakespeare uses other literary strategies such as inverted syntax. For example, Iago tells Othello “Myself the crying fellow did pursue” (Act 2, Scene 3, Line 229). As Shakespeare incorporate inverted syntax into his writing, he is projecting more excitement and drama to the characters and ultimately the story as a whole. If Shakespeare would have merely written “I pursued the crying fellow”, there would not be as much meaning as when the meaning the inverted syntax helps to produce.

In the excerpt taken from Hamlet, Shakespeare uses a hostile tone to depict the relationship between Hamlet and the people he is speaking to. The author uses figurative syntax, descriptive detail, and vexed diction to show the sanity of Hamlet based on the relationships with those he interacts with. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are trying to uncover Hamlet’s mental state thinking that Hamlet has no idea but Hamlet is always one step ahead of those in the house.

This passage found in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare conveys the idea of a person's internal conflicts with the supernatural world and themselves. Through the use of poetic elements such as personification and syntax, the theme of the passage is successfully conveyed. The personification found on line 159 says, “my seated heart knock at my ribs.” Although this quote may seem quite complex it simply means that his heart was heavily beating inside his chest. The use of syntax is just as prevalent throughout the passage and is best seen through this quote, “shakes so my single state of man”(I.iii.153). Moreover, this type of syntax is used as an example of sentence inversion which is when the author flips a sentence in normal sentence

In Act 2, Scene 2 of Hamlet, Shakespeare creates an image of Hamlet by using syntax to reveal his state of mind. In this soliloquy, it is revealed that Hamlet not only is on the verge of insanity, but he also has reason. Previous to this soliloquy, Hamlet finds out that his uncle, Claudius, kills his father and then marries his mother afterwards. This betrayal of his family, mixed with the visits by his father’s ghost, guides Hamlet towards seeking revenge.

The famous author William Shakespeare practices diction in his work to help solidify Romeo and Friar Laurence’s strong bond. In Act II, Scene III of the play, the two discuss Romeo’s love for “the fair daughter of rich Capulet.” (60)

A character the Shakespeare develops well when using Syntax is polonius. Polonius makes himself seem as a very intellectual and rich man, but his sentence structure says otherwise. For example, Polonius believes that he is higher than most people, when he tells his servant, “Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo”

In much of literature there exists the juxtaposition of the natural world vs. the unnatural. Human’s effect on nature and how it, in turn, influences us, is a crucial theme in many classic works. In Shakespeare’s play As You Like It, the initial setting is in the court, however, the characters are soon introduced to the Forest of Ardenne where the “magic” and the differences of the natural world are clear. Shakespeare uses this juxtaposition of settings to contrast the values of each environment and create resolution for all characters at the end of the play.

Shakespeare has influenced the way we speak, express ourselves, and enriched the English language is many ways. “Shakespeare introduced nearly 3,000 words into the English language.” (Anderson) Our vocabulary is full of phrases or words from Shakespeare. Without Shakespeare, we would not express ourselves the way we do. “He gave us uniquely vivid ways in which to express hope and despair, sorrow and rage, love and lust.”(Kurlak) The words Shakespeare created are used everyday. “Many words and phrases from his plays and poems have become a common part of everyday speech.” (Popova) Words like addiction, amazement, generous, gloomy, gossip are all commonly used words were all created by and used in Shakespeare 's plays. The list of everyday words from Shakespeare is much larger with words like advertising, blanket, outbreak, and thousands more. “Without him, our vocabulary would be just too different.”(Harris ) As well as words, many of

In a genre that contradicts a novelist's affluence of narrative explication, the language in its purest form becomes Shakespeare's powerful instrument, wherein he controls it with the unusual combination of force, subtlety, and exactitude”