Welcome to Lesson 13 of the Elizabethan English course. This lesson explores that, one of the most versatile words in Early Modern English, functioning both as a demonstrative pronoun (pointing to something specific) and as a relative pronoun (connecting clauses). In Shakespeare’s time, that served roles now often filled by which or who, making it even more grammatically flexible than in Modern English.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “that” mean in Elizabethan English?
The word that in Elizabethan English (c. 1580–1620) functions as: (1) a demonstrative pronoun pointing to a specific person, thing, or idea at some distance from the speaker; (2) a relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauses, often where Modern English would use who, whom, or which; and (3) a conjunction introducing noun clauses after verbs of saying, thinking, or perceiving. Its pronunciation [ðat] remained relatively stable through the Great Vowel Shift, as short vowels were less affected than long vowels.
In the fifteen examples that follow, you will encounter that in various grammatical positions: as subject, object, and in relative clauses modifying both persons and things. The interlinear glossing with Original Pronunciation (OP) IPA will help you hear the text as Shakespeare’s audiences heard it.
Key Takeaways -
That serves as both demonstrative and relative pronoun in Early Modern English -
It introduces relative clauses for both persons and things (where Modern English prefers who/which) -
Pronunciation [ðat] reflects period norms with dental fricative onset -
Combined with which, that forms emphatic constructions: that which = “what” or “the thing that” -
Understanding that unlocks complex Shakespearean sentence structures
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This lesson uses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) reflecting Early Modern English pronunciation circa 1600, based on the work of David Crystal, Paul Meier, and Helge Kökeritz. Key features distinguishing Elizabethan from Modern English include:
Period-Specific Sound Features: -
-tion/-sion endings: Pronounced [sjən] or [tɪən], not modern [ʃən]. Thus salvation = [salˈveːsjən], invention = [ɪnˈvɛnsjən] -
Rhoticity: /r/ always pronounced after vowels, as in modern Irish or American English -
KN-, GN-, WR- clusters: Still articulated; know = [knoː], gnat = [gnat], write = [wraɪt] -
WH- words: Pronounced [hw]; what = [hwat], where = [hwɛːr] -
PRICE vowel: More centralized diphthong [əɪ]; time = [təɪm] -
GOAT vowel: More monophthongal [oː]; know = [knoː] -
FACE vowel: Often [ɛː]; make = [mɛːk] -
Short A: Remained [a] (not [æ]); that = [ðat]
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13.1a That man speaketh truth unto the people.
13.1b That [ðat] DEM.that man [man] man speaketh [ˈspeːkəθ] speaks truth [truːθ] truth unto [ˈʊntuː] unto the [ðə] the people [ˈpeːpl̩] people
13.2a I know not that whereof thou speakest.
13.2b I [əɪ] I know [knoː] know not [nat] not that [ðat] REL.that whereof [hwɛrˈoːf] whereof thou [ðaʊ] thou speakest [ˈspeːkəst] speak-2SG
13.3a That which is past cannot be recalled.
13.3b That [ðat] DEM.that which [hwɪtʃ] which is [ɪz] is past [past] past cannot [ˈkannat] cannot be [beː] be recalled [rɪˈkaːld] recalled
13.4a The letter that came from London bringeth ill tidings.
13.4b The [ðə] the letter [ˈlɛtər] letter that [ðat] REL.that came [kɛːm] came from [fram] from London [ˈlʊndən] London bringeth [ˈbrɪŋəθ] brings ill [ɪl] ill tidings [ˈtəɪdɪŋz] tidings
13.5a Give me that book upon the table.
13.5b Give [gɪv] give me [meː] me that [ðat] DEM.that book [buːk] book upon [əˈpan] upon the [ðə] the table [ˈtɛːbl̩] table
13.6a The queen that ruleth England doth command great reverence.
13.6b The [ðə] the queen [kweːn] queen that [ðat] REL.that ruleth [ˈruːləθ] rules England [ˈɪŋgland] England doth [dʊθ] does command [kəmˈmand] command great [grɛːt] great reverence [ˈrɛvərəns] reverence
13.7a I think not that he will come ere nightfall.
13.7b I [əɪ] I think [θɪŋk] think not [nat] not that [ðat] COMP.that he [heː] he will [wɪl] will come [kʊm] come ere [ɛːr] before nightfall [ˈnəɪtfaːl] nightfall
13.8a What manner of creature is that?
13.8b What [hwat] what manner [ˈmanər] manner of [əv] of creature [ˈkreːtjuːr] creature is [ɪz] is that [ðat] DEM.that
13.9a The invention that he deviseth shall bring great salvation.
13.9b The [ðə] the invention [ɪnˈvɛnsjən] invention that [ðat] REL.that he [heː] he deviseth [dɪˈvəɪzəθ] devises shall [ʃal] shall bring [brɪŋ] bring great [grɛːt] great salvation [salˈveːsjən] salvation
13.10a I know that man for a villain and a knave.
13.10b I [əɪ] I know [knoː] know that [ðat] DEM.that man [man] man for [fɔːr] for a [ə] a villain [ˈvɪlən] villain and [and] and a [ə] a knave [knɛːv] knave
13.11a That is not the question whereupon we deliberate.
13.11b That [ðat] DEM.that is [ɪz] is not [nat] not the [ðə] the question [ˈkwɛstjən] question whereupon [hwɛrəˈpan] whereupon we [weː] we deliberate [dɪˈlɪbərɛːt] deliberate
13.12a The nation that forgetteth history shall perish.
13.12b The [ðə] the nation [ˈnɛːsjən] nation that [ðat] REL.that forgetteth [fərˈgɛtəθ] forgets history [ˈhɪstərɪ] history shall [ʃal] shall perish [ˈpɛrɪʃ] perish
13.13a All that glittereth is not gold.
13.13b All [aːl] all that [ðat] REL.that glittereth [ˈglɪtərəθ] glitters is [ɪz] is not [nat] not gold [goːld] gold
13.14a Tell me that I may write it in my book.
13.14b Tell [tɛl] tell me [meː] me that [ðat] COMP.that I [əɪ] I may [mɛː] may write [wrəɪt] write it [ɪt] it in [ɪn] in my [məɪ] my book [buːk] book
13.15a That way lieth madness and destruction.
13.15b That [ðat] DEM.that way [wɛː] way lieth [ˈləɪəθ] lies madness [ˈmadnəs] madness and [and] and destruction [dɪsˈtrʊksjən] destruction
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13.1 That man speaketh truth unto the people. “That man speaks truth to the people.”
13.2 I know not that whereof thou speakest. “I do not know that of which you speak.”
13.3 That which is past cannot be recalled. “What is past cannot be brought back.”
13.4 The letter that came from London bringeth ill tidings. “The letter that came from London brings bad news.”
13.5 Give me that book upon the table. “Give me that book on the table.”
13.6 The queen that ruleth England doth command great reverence. “The queen who rules England commands great reverence.”
13.7 I think not that he will come ere nightfall. “I do not think that he will come before nightfall.”
13.8 What manner of creature is that? “What sort of creature is that?”
13.9 The invention that he deviseth shall bring great salvation. “The invention that he is devising shall bring great salvation.”
13.10 I know that man for a villain and a knave. “I know that man to be a villain and a scoundrel.”
13.11 That is not the question whereupon we deliberate. “That is not the question we are deliberating upon.”
13.12 The nation that forgetteth history shall perish. “The nation that forgets history shall perish.”
13.13 All that glittereth is not gold. “Not everything that glitters is gold.”
13.14 Tell me that I may write it in my book. “Tell me so that I may write it in my book.”
13.15 That way lieth madness and destruction. “That way lies madness and destruction.”
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13.1 That man speaketh truth unto the people.
13.2 I know not that whereof thou speakest.
13.3 That which is past cannot be recalled.
13.4 The letter that came from London bringeth ill tidings.
13.5 Give me that book upon the table.
13.6 The queen that ruleth England doth command great reverence.
13.7 I think not that he will come ere nightfall.
13.8 What manner of creature is that?
13.9 The invention that he deviseth shall bring great salvation.
13.10 I know that man for a villain and a knave.
13.11 That is not the question whereupon we deliberate.
13.12 The nation that forgetteth history shall perish.
13.13 All that glittereth is not gold.
13.14 Tell me that I may write it in my book.
13.15 That way lieth madness and destruction.
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These are the grammar rules for THAT in Elizabethan English:
1. Demonstrative Pronoun Function
As a demonstrative, that points to something at a distance from the speaker, contrasting with this (near) and distinguished from the plural those. In Elizabethan usage, that could stand alone as subject (”That is the question”) or modify a noun (”that man,” “that book”).
The demonstrative that always carries a sense of psychological or physical distance. When Hamlet asks “What is that?” he points to something removed from his immediate sphere.
2. Relative Pronoun Function
In Early Modern English, that served as a universal relative pronoun for both persons and things, in contexts where Modern English would distinguish who/whom (persons) from which (things). This flexibility means you will encounter: -
“The man that came” (Modern: “who came”) -
“The book that I read” (Modern: acceptable with “that” or “which”) -
“The queen that ruleth” (Modern: “who rules”)
The relative that introduces restrictive clauses—clauses essential to identifying the antecedent. Non-restrictive clauses (merely adding information) typically used which.
3. Complementizer Function
That introduces subordinate noun clauses after verbs of saying, thinking, perceiving, or knowing: -
“I think that he will come” -
“She said that the war was ended” -
“Know that I speak truly”
Unlike Modern English, Elizabethan writers rarely omitted this that. The complementizer was considered necessary for clarity and rhetorical balance.
4. The Construction “That Which”
The combination that which functions as an emphatic equivalent of “what” or “the thing that”: -
“That which is past” = “what is past” -
“Give me that which I desire” = “give me what I desire”
This construction adds weight and formality to the utterance.
5. Verb Agreement
When that functions as subject (demonstrative or relative), the verb agrees with its antecedent: -
“That man speaketh” (third person singular) -
“Those men speak” (third person plural) -
“The invention that he deviseth” (relative that takes verb agreeing with “invention”)
Common Mistakes -
Confusing that with which in non-restrictive clauses: Elizabethan writers maintained this distinction more carefully than Modern English speakers -
Omitting that as complementizer: Modern English allows “I think he will come,” but Elizabethan style prefers “I think that he will come” -
Mispronouncing that with modern [æ] instead of period [a]
Comparison with Modern English
Modern English has restricted that primarily to restrictive relative clauses with inanimate antecedents. Elizabethan English used that freely for persons, things, and animals. Additionally, the emphatic “that which” has largely been replaced by simple “what” in contemporary usage.
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Usage in Formal and Informal Registers
That appeared across all registers of Elizabethan English, from tavern speech to court rhetoric. However, its use as a relative pronoun for persons was somewhat more common in elevated discourse. Shakespeare employs that for both comic and tragic characters, demonstrating its sociolinguistic neutrality.
In legal and ecclesiastical documents, that as complementizer was obligatory, creating the formal cadences of official prose: “Know ye that We have granted...”
The Elizabethan Worldview and Deixis
The distinction between this (proximal) and that (distal) reflected the Elizabethan consciousness of spatial and hierarchical relationships. That could mark not merely physical distance but social distance, temporal distance (referring to past events), and conceptual abstraction.
When characters in Shakespeare use that demonstratively, they often signal alienation or judgment. “That man” distances the speaker from the person indicated.
Regional Variations
While London speech standardized much of Early Modern English through the printing industry, regional dialects preserved older relative pronoun forms. Northern dialects sometimes used at for that in relative clauses. Scottish English maintained distinct patterns. The examples in this lesson reflect educated London speech circa 1600.
Idiomatic Expressions Using “That” -
“That way madness lies” — indicating direction toward an undesirable outcome -
“All that” — totality, everything of the kind mentioned -
“In that” — because, since -
“For all that” — nevertheless, despite everything -
“That is to say” — introducing an explanation
The Great Vowel Shift and “That”
As a short vowel word, that was minimally affected by the Great Vowel Shift, which primarily altered long vowels. The vowel in that remained close to [a], distinct from the more fronted [æ] of later Received Pronunciation. This stability made function words like that relatively uniform across Elizabethan dialects.
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Source: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene i (c. 1600)
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
To [tuː] to be [beː] be or [ɔːr] or not [nat] not to [tuː] to be [beː] be that [ðat] DEM.that is [ɪz] is the [ðə] the question [ˈkwɛstjən] question
Whether [ˈhwɛðər] whether ‘tis [tɪz] it-is nobler [ˈnoːblər] nobler in [ɪn] in the [ðə] the mind [məɪnd] mind to [tuː] to suffer [ˈsʊfər] suffer
The [ðə] the slings [slɪŋz] slings and [and] and arrows [ˈaroːz] arrows of [əv] of outrageous [aʊtˈrɛːdʒəs] outrageous fortune [ˈfɔːrtjuːn] fortune
Or [ɔːr] or to [tuː] to take [tɛːk] take arms [aːrmz] arms against [əˈgɛnst] against a [ə] a sea [seː] sea of [əv] of troubles [ˈtrʊbl̩z] troubles
And [and] and by [bəɪ] by opposing [əˈpoːzɪŋ] opposing end [ɛnd] end them [ðɛm] them
F-B: Authentic Text with Translation
To be or not to be, that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them.
“To exist or not to exist—that is the question: whether it is nobler mentally to endure the attacks of cruel fate, or to fight back against a flood of difficulties and, by resisting, put an end to them.”
F-C: Original Text Only
To be or not to be, that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them.
F-D: Grammar Notes
In this famous soliloquy, that functions as a demonstrative pronoun pointing to the entire preceding question (”To be or not to be”). This usage exemplifies how that can refer to concepts and propositions, not merely physical objects.
The construction “that is the question” places that as subject with the copula “is,” a common Early Modern pattern for emphasizing a point. The demonstrative here is anaphoric, referring back to what has just been said.
Note the period pronunciation of question as [ˈkwɛstjən], with the -tion suffix realized as [sjən] rather than modern [ʃən]. Similarly, fortune [ˈfɔːrtjuːn] preserves the fully pronounced /r/ characteristic of rhotic Elizabethan speech.
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A scene set in a merchant’s house, London, 1598. Master Weston speaks with his servant Tom about a mysterious visitor.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
13.16a Who is that stranger that waiteth at the door?
13.16b Who [huː] who is [ɪz] is that [ðat] DEM.that stranger [ˈstrɛːndʒər] stranger that [ðat] REL.that waiteth [ˈwɛːtəθ] waits at [at] at the [ðə] the door [doːr] door
13.17a That is the gentleman from the Muscovy expedition, master.
13.17b That [ðat] DEM.that is [ɪz] is the [ðə] the gentleman [ˈdʒɛntl̩man] gentleman from [fram] from the [ðə] the Muscovy [ˈmʊskovɪ] Muscovy expedition [ˌɛkspɪˈdɪsjən] expedition master [ˈmastər] master
13.18a Bid him enter that I may speak with him.
13.18b Bid [bɪd] bid him [hɪm] him enter [ˈɛntər] enter that [ðat] COMP.that I [əɪ] I may [mɛː] may speak [speːk] speak with [wɪθ] with him [hɪm] him
13.19a The information that he bringeth concerneth our trade with the East.
13.19b The [ðə] the information [ˌɪnfɔːrˈmɛːsjən] information that [ðat] REL.that he [heː] he bringeth [ˈbrɪŋəθ] brings concerneth [kənˈsɜːrnəθ] concerns our [aʊr] our trade [trɛːd] trade with [wɪθ] with the [ðə] the East [iːst] East
13.20a Is that the same man that was accused of piracy?
13.20b Is [ɪz] is that [ðat] DEM.that the [ðə] the same [sɛːm] same man [man] man that [ðat] REL.that was [waz] was accused [əˈkjuːzd] accused of [əv] of piracy [ˈpəɪrəsɪ] piracy
13.21a Nay, that accusation proved false in the end.
13.21b Nay [nɛː] nay that [ðat] DEM.that accusation [ˌakjuːˈzɛːsjən] accusation proved [pruːvd] proved false [faːls] false in [ɪn] in the [ðə] the end [ɛnd] end
13.22a Tell me all that thou knowest of his reputation.
13.22b Tell [tɛl] tell me [meː] me all [aːl] all that [ðat] REL.that thou [ðaʊ] thou knowest [ˈknoːəst] know-2SG of [əv] of his [hɪz] his reputation [ˌrɛpjuːˈtɛːsjən] reputation
13.23a Men say that he ventured beyond the known world.
13.23b Men [mɛn] men say [sɛː] say that [ðat] COMP.that he [heː] he ventured [ˈvɛntʃərd] ventured beyond [bɪˈjand] beyond the [ðə] the known [knoːn] known world [wɜːrld] world
13.24a That tale straineth belief and passeth understanding.
13.24b That [ðat] DEM.that tale [tɛːl] tale straineth [ˈstrɛːnəθ] strains belief [bɪˈliːf] belief and [and] and passeth [ˈpasəθ] passes understanding [ˌʊndərˈstandɪŋ] understanding
13.25a The letters that he brought bear the seal of the Tsar.
13.25b The [ðə] the letters [ˈlɛtərz] letters that [ðat] REL.that he [heː] he brought [braːt] brought bear [bɛːr] bear the [ðə] the seal [seːl] seal of [əv] of the [ðə] the Tsar [zaːr] Tsar
13.26a That is proof sufficient of his station.
13.26b That [ðat] DEM.that is [ɪz] is proof [pruːf] proof sufficient [səˈfɪsjənt] sufficient of [əv] of his [hɪz] his station [ˈstɛːsjən] station
13.27a I care not for that opinion which the vulgar hold.
13.27b I [əɪ] I care [kɛːr] care not [nat] not for [fɔːr] for that [ðat] DEM.that opinion [əˈpɪnjən] opinion which [hwɪtʃ] which the [ðə] the vulgar [ˈvʊlgər] vulgar hold [hoːld] hold
13.28a Receive him then that we may hear his petition.
13.28b Receive [rɪˈseːv] receive him [hɪm] him then [ðɛn] then that [ðat] COMP.that we [weː] we may [mɛː] may hear [hiːr] hear his [hɪz] his petition [pɪˈtɪsjən] petition
13.29a That which he proposeth may bring us great fortune or great ruin.
13.29b That [ðat] DEM.that which [hwɪtʃ] which he [heː] he proposeth [prəˈpoːzəθ] proposes may [mɛː] may bring [brɪŋ] bring us [ʊs] us great [grɛːt] great fortune [ˈfɔːrtjuːn] fortune or [ɔːr] or great [grɛːt] great ruin [ˈruːɪn] ruin
13.30a So be it that Providence shall guide our deliberation.
13.30b So [soː] so be [beː] be it [ɪt] it that [ðat] COMP.that Providence [ˈpravɪdəns] Providence shall [ʃal] shall guide [gəɪd] guide our [aʊr] our deliberation [dɪˌlɪbərˈɛːsjən] deliberation
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Part B: Natural Sentences
13.16 Who is that stranger that waiteth at the door? “Who is that stranger who is waiting at the door?”
13.17 That is the gentleman from the Muscovy expedition, master. “That is the gentleman from the Russian expedition, master.”
13.18 Bid him enter that I may speak with him. “Tell him to come in so that I may speak with him.”
13.19 The information that he bringeth concerneth our trade with the East. “The information that he brings concerns our trade with the East.”
13.20 Is that the same man that was accused of piracy? “Is that the same man who was accused of piracy?”
13.21 Nay, that accusation proved false in the end. “No, that accusation proved false in the end.”
13.22 Tell me all that thou knowest of his reputation. “Tell me everything that you know of his reputation.”
13.23 Men say that he ventured beyond the known world. “People say that he traveled beyond the known world.”
13.24 That tale straineth belief and passeth understanding. “That story strains belief and passes understanding.”
13.25 The letters that he brought bear the seal of the Tsar. “The letters that he brought bear the seal of the Russian emperor.”
13.26 That is proof sufficient of his station. “That is sufficient proof of his rank.”
13.27 I care not for that opinion which the vulgar hold. “I do not care for the opinion that common people hold.”
13.28 Receive him then that we may hear his petition. “Receive him, then, so that we may hear his request.”
13.29 That which he proposeth may bring us great fortune or great ruin. “What he proposes may bring us great fortune or great ruin.”
13.30 So be it that Providence shall guide our deliberation. “So be it that divine Providence shall guide our discussion.”
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Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
13.16 Who is that stranger that waiteth at the door?
13.17 That is the gentleman from the Muscovy expedition, master.
13.18 Bid him enter that I may speak with him.
13.19 The information that he bringeth concerneth our trade with the East.
13.20 Is that the same man that was accused of piracy?
13.21 Nay, that accusation proved false in the end.
13.22 Tell me all that thou knowest of his reputation.
13.23 Men say that he ventured beyond the known world.
13.24 That tale straineth belief and passeth understanding.
13.25 The letters that he brought bear the seal of the Tsar.
13.26 That is proof sufficient of his station.
13.27 I care not for that opinion which the vulgar hold.
13.28 Receive him then that we may hear his petition.
13.29 That which he proposeth may bring us great fortune or great ruin.
13.30 So be it that Providence shall guide our deliberation.
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Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
The dramatic dialogue illustrates several key features of that in naturalistic Elizabethan discourse:
Double “that” constructions: In example 13.16, “that stranger that waiteth” uses that first as demonstrative, then as relative—a common Early Modern pattern that Modern English tends to avoid as redundant.
Complementizer after purpose verbs: Examples 13.18 and 13.28 show that introducing purpose clauses: “Bid him enter that I may speak.” This construction (verb + that + subject + may) expresses intention.
“That which” for emphasis: Example 13.29 uses “That which he proposeth” where Modern English would simply say “What he proposes.” The longer form carries greater weight and formality.
Period-specific -tion pronunciation: Note the consistent rendering of -tion endings as [sjən]: expedition [ˌɛkspɪˈdɪsjən], accusation [ˌakjuːˈzɛːsjən], reputation [ˌrɛpjuːˈtɛːsjən], petition [pɪˈtɪsjən], deliberation [dɪˌlɪbərˈɛːsjən]. This sound feature distinguishes Elizabethan from Modern English pronunciation.
Third person singular -eth forms: The verbs waiteth, bringeth, concerneth, straineth, passeth, and proposeth all use the older third person singular ending, distinct from the emerging -s ending that would eventually predominate.
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Key Elizabethan Pronunciation Features in This Lesson:
Feature Modern Elizabethan Example -tion suffix [ʃən] [sjən] invention [ɪnˈvɛnsjən] Short A [æ] [a] that [ðat] Post-vocalic R silent [r] fortune [ˈfɔːrtjuːn] WH- words [w] [hw] which [hwɪtʃ] KN- words [n] [kn] know [knoː] GOAT vowel [əʊ] [oː] know [knoː] PRICE vowel [aɪ] [əɪ] time [təɪm]
Common Pronunciation Errors for Modern Speakers: -
Pronouncing that with fronted [æ] instead of open [a] -
Dropping the [t] element in -tion endings -
Omitting post-vocalic /r/ -
Using modern [w] instead of [hw] in which, what, where -
Monophthongizing period diphthongs
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This Elizabethan English course applies the Latinum Institute methodology, developed since 2006, to help autodidact students access the language of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the English Renaissance.
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The construed text approach (interlinear glossing with pronunciation guidance) accelerates comprehension by presenting language at the word level. Rather than struggling through unfamiliar syntax, learners immediately see how each word contributes to meaning. The IPA transcription based on David Crystal’s Original Pronunciation research allows students to hear Early Modern English as Shakespeare’s audiences heard it.
Elizabethan English is not “Old English” (which is Anglo-Saxon, c. 450–1100) but Early Modern English (c. 1500–1700). While challenging due to archaic vocabulary and grammatical forms, it remains fundamentally comprehensible to Modern English speakers—a linguistic distance of centuries, not millennia.
This lesson covers that as word 13 in the frequency-based curriculum, recognizing its essential role in both demonstrative and relative constructions. Mastery of that opens the complex subordinate clause structures characteristic of Elizabethan rhetorical style.
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✓ Lesson 13 Elizabethan English complete
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