Quick Notes on Elizabethan Language!

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Elizabethan Language Notes!

Language in the Elizabethan times became more like modern english around the early 1600's, but there were still many differences compared to language today. Below, I have put together a list of notes about those language differences from the ELizabethan / Shakespearean times.

Write out the contractions "it's", "don't" and "doesn't", so that they are "it is", "do not", and "does not".
They substituted "'tis", "'Twas", "'twere", and "'twill" for the conjugations of "it is".
Double constructions were common, such as "more better" or "most unkindest".
The -ly suffix was not required for adverbs. People would say "tremendous beautiful" or "terrible wrong" or "wonderous strange".
Thine and mine were used before a vowel or an h. Ex. "Mine uncle", or "Thine aunt".
Thee & Thou: used with inferior and equal people; also used in friendly or informal situations.
You: used as a more formal address for middle or upper class.

Source: The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Renaissance England. By: Kathy Lynn Emerson.

Common Phrases

Good Morrow: Good Morning

God Ye Good Den: Good Day, Good Afternoon

Fare you well: Have a good day

Adieu: Good Bye

How Now?: What's happening?

Out upon thee!: Get lost!

Aye: Yes

Nay: No

I marvel much!: I'm surprised!

Fie on thee: Shame on you!

How say you?: What do you mean?

Forsooth: In truth, or really