The pronoun he functions as the third person masculine singular subject pronoun in Elizabethan English, serving the same fundamental role it holds in modern usage. However, the Elizabethan period employed a richer system of pronoun distinctions, with he existing alongside the familiar-intimate second person pronouns thou/thee/thy/thine and the formal-plural you/your/yours. Understanding how he operates within this more elaborate pronominal architecture illuminates both Shakespearean texts and the social dynamics embedded in Early Modern English address patterns.
In pronunciation, Elizabethan he sounded much as it does today: /hiː/ when stressed, reduced to /hi/ or /ɪ/ in unstressed positions. The vowel quality remained stable through the Great Vowel Shift, unlike many other long vowels that underwent dramatic transformation during this period.
This lesson demonstrates he in characteristic Elizabethan constructions, showcasing the pronoun in contexts ranging from simple declarations to complex subordinate clauses. The accompanying IPA transcriptions reflect Original Pronunciation (OP) norms, including the rhotic /r/ that Elizabethan speakers pronounced in all positions, and the distinctive [sɪən] rendering of the -tion suffix rather than modern [ʃən].
Course Index:
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FAQ: What does “he” mean in Elizabethan English?
The pronoun “he” in Elizabethan English functions identically to Modern English, referring to a male person or personified entity as the subject of a sentence. Period texts sometimes use “he” for entities we might now render gender-neutrally, reflecting the conventions of Shakespeare’s era.
Key Takeaways: -
The pronoun he retains its modern function as third person masculine subject -
Elizabethan English pronounced all /r/ sounds (rhotic dialect) -
The suffix -tion was pronounced [sɪən], not modern [ʃən] -
Vowel qualities in OP often differ from modern Received Pronunciation -
Understanding he requires familiarity with the broader thou/you distinction
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1.1a He speaketh the truth.
1.1b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj speaketh /ˈspiːkəθ/ V-pres.3sg the /ðə/ DEF.ART truth /truːθ/ N-obj
1.2a He hath no fear of death.
1.2b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj hath /haθ/ V-pres.3sg-have no /noː/ DET-neg fear /fɪːr/ N-obj of /ɒv/ PREP death /dɛːθ/ N-obj.gen
1.3a Doth he understand the matter?
1.3b Doth /dʌθ/ AUX-pres.3sg.interrog he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj understand /ʌndərˈstand/ V-inf the /ðə/ DEF.ART matter /ˈmatər/ N-obj
1.4a He that hath ears, let him hear.
1.4b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj that /ðat/ REL.PRON hath /haθ/ V-pres.3sg-have ears /ɪːrz/ N-obj.pl, let /lɛt/ V-imper him /hɪm/ PRON-3sg.masc.obj hear /hɪːr/ V-inf
1.5a He loveth not wisely, but too well.
1.5b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj loveth /ˈlʌvəθ/ V-pres.3sg not /nɒt/ ADV-neg wisely /ˈwəɪzli/ ADV-manner, but /bʌt/ CONJ-advers too /tuː/ ADV-degree well /wɛl/ ADV-manner
1.6a He beareth the burden of his master’s ambition.
1.6b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj beareth /ˈbɛːrəθ/ V-pres.3sg the /ðə/ DEF.ART burden /ˈbʌrdən/ N-obj of /ɒv/ PREP his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc master’s /ˈmaːstərz/ N-poss ambition /amˈbɪsɪən/ N-obj.gen
1.7a What he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
1.7b What /ʍat/ INTERROG.PRON he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj thinketh /ˈθɪŋkəθ/ V-pres.3sg in /ɪn/ PREP his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc heart /haːrt/ N-obj, so /soː/ ADV-manner is /ɪz/ V-pres.3sg-be he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj
1.8a He that would learn must suffer.
1.8b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj that /ðat/ REL.PRON would /wʊld/ AUX-cond learn /lɛːrn/ V-inf must /mʌst/ AUX-oblig suffer /ˈsʌfər/ V-inf
1.9a Know’st thou not that he cometh this even?
1.9b Know’st /noːst/ V-pres.2sg thou /ðaʊ/ PRON-2sg.fam.subj not /nɒt/ ADV-neg that /ðat/ CONJ-subord he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj cometh /ˈkʌməθ/ V-pres.3sg this /ðɪs/ DEM.DET even /ˈiːvən/ N-time(evening)
1.10a He walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth.
1.10b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj walketh /ˈwaːlkəθ/ V-pres.3sg in /ɪn/ PREP darkness /ˈdaːrknəs/ N-obj and /and/ CONJ-coord knoweth /ˈnoːəθ/ V-pres.3sg not /nɒt/ ADV-neg whither /ˈʍɪðər/ ADV-interrog.direction he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj goeth /ˈgoːəθ/ V-pres.3sg
1.11a He giveth his devotion unto matters of statecraft and learnèd disputation.
1.11b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj giveth /ˈgɪvəθ/ V-pres.3sg his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc devotion /dɪˈvoːsɪən/ N-obj unto /ˈʌntuː/ PREP matters /ˈmatərz/ N-obj.pl of /ɒv/ PREP statecraft /ˈsteɪtkraft/ N-obj.gen and /and/ CONJ-coord learnèd /ˈlɛːrnɪd/ ADJ disputation /dɪspjuːˈteɪsɪən/ N-obj.gen
1.12a The gentleman declareth that he shall take no part in such corruption.
1.12b The /ðə/ DEF.ART gentleman /ˈdʒɛntəlman/ N-subj declareth /dɪˈkleːrəθ/ V-pres.3sg that /ðat/ CONJ-subord he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj shall /ʃal/ AUX-fut take /teɪk/ V-inf no /noː/ DET-neg part /paːrt/ N-obj in /ɪn/ PREP such /sʌtʃ/ DET corruption /kɒrˈrʌpsɪən/ N-obj
1.13a If he offend thee, rebuke him; if he repent, forgive him.
1.13b If /ɪf/ CONJ-cond he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj offend /əˈfɛnd/ V-pres.subjunc thee /ðiː/ PRON-2sg.fam.obj, rebuke /rɪˈbjuːk/ V-imper him /hɪm/ PRON-3sg.masc.obj; if /ɪf/ CONJ-cond he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj repent /rɪˈpɛnt/ V-pres.subjunc, forgive /fərˈgɪv/ V-imper him /hɪm/ PRON-3sg.masc.obj
1.14a He hath borne himself with all the commendation that becometh a true subject.
1.14b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj hath /haθ/ AUX-perf borne /boːrn/ V-past.part himself /hɪmˈsɛlf/ PRON-reflex with /wɪθ/ PREP all /aːl/ DET-univ the /ðə/ DEF.ART commendation /kɒmənˈdeɪsɪən/ N-obj that /ðat/ REL.PRON becometh /bɪˈkʌməθ/ V-pres.3sg a /a/ INDEF.ART true /truː/ ADJ subject /ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/ N-obj
1.15a He alone among the congregation possessed the fortitude to speak against the proclamation.
1.15b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj alone /əˈloːn/ ADJ-pred among /əˈmʌŋ/ PREP the /ðə/ DEF.ART congregation /kɒŋgrɪˈgeɪsɪən/ N-obj possessed /pəˈzɛst/ V-past the /ðə/ DEF.ART fortitude /ˈfɔːrtɪtjuːd/ N-obj to /tuː/ PART-inf speak /spiːk/ V-inf against /əˈgɛːnst/ PREP the /ðə/ DEF.ART proclamation /prɒkləˈmeɪsɪən/ N-obj
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1.1 He speaketh the truth. — He speaks the truth.
1.2 He hath no fear of death. — He has no fear of death.
1.3 Doth he understand the matter? — Does he understand the matter?
1.4 He that hath ears, let him hear. — He who has ears, let him hear.
1.5 He loveth not wisely, but too well. — He loves not wisely, but too well.
1.6 He beareth the burden of his master’s ambition. — He bears the burden of his master’s ambition.
1.7 What he thinketh in his heart, so is he. — As he thinks in his heart, so is he.
1.8 He that would learn must suffer. — He who would learn must suffer.
1.9 Know’st thou not that he cometh this even? — Do you not know that he comes this evening?
1.10 He walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth. — He walks in darkness and knows not where he goes.
1.11 He giveth his devotion unto matters of statecraft and learnèd disputation. — He devotes himself to matters of government and scholarly debate.
1.12 The gentleman declareth that he shall take no part in such corruption. — The gentleman declares that he will take no part in such corruption.
1.13 If he offend thee, rebuke him; if he repent, forgive him. — If he offends you, rebuke him; if he repents, forgive him.
1.14 He hath borne himself with all the commendation that becometh a true subject. — He has conducted himself with all the praise befitting a true subject.
1.15 He alone among the congregation possessed the fortitude to speak against the proclamation. — He alone among the assembly possessed the courage to speak against the decree.
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He speaketh the truth.
He hath no fear of death.
Doth he understand the matter?
He that hath ears, let him hear.
He loveth not wisely, but too well.
He beareth the burden of his master’s ambition.
What he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
He that would learn must suffer.
Know’st thou not that he cometh this even?
He walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth.
He giveth his devotion unto matters of statecraft and learnèd disputation.
The gentleman declareth that he shall take no part in such corruption.
If he offend thee, rebuke him; if he repent, forgive him.
He hath borne himself with all the commendation that becometh a true subject.
He alone among the congregation possessed the fortitude to speak against the proclamation.
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Elizabethan English employed a complete case system for the third person masculine pronoun:
Nominative (subject): he /hiː/ Accusative (object): him /hɪm/ Genitive (possessive determiner): his /hɪz/ Genitive (possessive pronoun): his /hɪz/ Reflexive: himself /hɪmˈsɛlf/
A distinctive Elizabethan pattern uses he that where Modern English would employ he who or whoever. This construction treats he as an antecedent modified by a relative clause introduced by that: -
He that hath ears = He who has ears / Whoever has ears -
He that would learn = He who would learn / Anyone who would learn
This pattern lends biblical and formal register to discourse.
With he as subject, Elizabethan verbs take the characteristic -eth /əθ/ ending in the present tense: -
he speaketh, he loveth, he walketh, he knoweth, he goeth
The auxiliary hath represents the third person singular of “have,” and doth serves as the third person singular of “do” (used for emphasis and questions).
The -tion Suffix: In Elizabethan pronunciation, words ending in -tion were pronounced [sɪən] rather than modern [ʃən]. Thus: -
devotion: /dɪˈvoːsɪən/ (not /dɪˈvoʊʃən/) -
disputation: /dɪspjuːˈteɪsɪən/ (not /ˌdɪspjuˈteɪʃən/) -
proclamation: /prɒkləˈmeɪsɪən/ (not /ˌprɑkləˈmeɪʃən/) -
commendation: /kɒmənˈdeɪsɪən/ (not /ˌkɑmənˈdeɪʃən/) -
congregation: /kɒŋgrɪˈgeɪsɪən/ (not /ˌkɑŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/) -
corruption: /kɒrˈrʌpsɪən/ (not /kəˈrʌpʃən/)
Rhoticity: All /r/ sounds were pronounced, including in syllable-final position: -
darkness: /ˈdaːrknəs/ (the r is articulated) -
master: /ˈmaːstər/ (final r pronounced) -
heart: /haːrt/ (final r pronounced)
The WH- Distinction: Words beginning with wh- retained the /ʍ/ pronunciation (voiceless labial-velar fricative): -
whither: /ˈʍɪðər/ (not /ˈwɪðər/) -
what: /ʍat/ (not /wɑt/)
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The pronoun he existed within a carefully calibrated system of address that encoded social relationships. While he itself carried no inherent social marking (being third person), its usage in reported speech and narrative revealed how speakers positioned themselves and others within the social hierarchy.
When a speaker referred to an absent person as he, the choice of accompanying vocabulary—whether honorifics, titles, or plain reference—indicated the relative status of all parties involved. A servant speaking of his master would say “He hath commanded” with deferential verb choices, while an equal might say “He doth suggest.”
Elizabethan English employed he as the default generic pronoun in ways that persisted well into the twentieth century. Proverbs, legal documents, and philosophical treatises used he to refer to any person regardless of sex: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” addressed all listeners, not merely male ones.
This convention reflected both grammatical tradition inherited from Latin and the social assumption of male as default. Modern readers encounter this usage constantly in period texts and must distinguish between specifically masculine and generically human reference through context.
Many Elizabethan constructions involving he derive their cadence from the English Bible translations that permeated daily life. The phrase “He that hath ears” echoes Matthew 11:15 and other Gospel passages, while constructions like “What he thinketh in his heart” recall Proverbs 23:7.
The 1611 King James Bible, published late in Shakespeare’s career, codified many of these patterns, but earlier translations (Tyndale 1525, Geneva Bible 1560, Bishops’ Bible 1568) had already established the rhythms that shaped how Elizabethans heard and employed the pronoun he in elevated discourse.
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He that plays the king shall be welcome—his Majesty shall have tribute of me.
This line from Act II demonstrates the pronoun he in a relative clause construction, with Hamlet speaking of actors who assume royal roles. The passage illustrates how he could refer to a general or hypothetical person (”whoever plays the king”), showcasing the generic masculine usage common in philosophical and proverbial statements.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
This proverb, though published slightly after Shakespeare’s major period, reflects the syntax and vocabulary that pervaded Elizabethan religious and moral discourse. The doubled he creates emphatic parallelism, linking thought and identity in a construction that would have resonated with period audiences familiar with such biblical cadences.
He that with shepherds and a little spoil Durst, in disdain of wrong and tyranny, Defend his freedom ‘gainst a monarchy.
Marlowe’s mighty line employs he to begin an extended relative clause spanning multiple verses. The pronoun introduces Tamburlaine’s self-description, demonstrating how he that constructions could launch into elaborate rhetorical periods characteristic of Elizabethan dramatic verse.
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The following passage demonstrates sustained usage of the pronoun he in connected dramatic prose, as might appear in a steward’s account of his lord’s qualities.
1.16a He riseth before dawn and taketh counsel with none but his own conscience.
1.16b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj riseth /ˈrəɪzəθ/ V-pres.3sg before /bɪˈfɔːr/ PREP dawn /daːn/ N-obj and /and/ CONJ-coord taketh /ˈteɪkəθ/ V-pres.3sg counsel /ˈkaʊnsəl/ N-obj with /wɪθ/ PREP none /nʌn/ PRON-indef but /bʌt/ CONJ-except his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc own /oːn/ ADJ conscience /ˈkɒnsɪəns/ N-obj
1.17a In matters of governance, he proceedeth with such circumspection as would credit a prince.
1.17b In /ɪn/ PREP matters /ˈmatərz/ N-obj.pl of /ɒv/ PREP governance /ˈgʌvərnəns/ N-obj.gen, he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj proceedeth /prəˈsiːdəθ/ V-pres.3sg with /wɪθ/ PREP such /sʌtʃ/ DET circumspection /sɜːrkəmˈspɛksɪən/ N-obj as /az/ CONJ-comp would /wʊld/ AUX-cond credit /ˈkrɛdɪt/ V-inf a /a/ INDEF.ART prince /prɪns/ N-obj
1.18a Though he possesseth wealth sufficient to purchase ease, he laboreth still as would a common man.
1.18b Though /ðoː/ CONJ-concess he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj possesseth /pəˈzɛsəθ/ V-pres.3sg wealth /wɛlθ/ N-obj sufficient /səˈfɪʃənt/ ADJ to /tuː/ PART-inf purchase /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/ V-inf ease /iːz/ N-obj, he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj laboreth /ˈleɪbərəθ/ V-pres.3sg still /stɪl/ ADV-time as /az/ CONJ-comp would /wʊld/ AUX-cond a /a/ INDEF.ART common /ˈkɒmən/ ADJ man /man/ N-subj
1.19a He hath never spoken falsely to any man, nor suffered any man to speak falsely unto him.
1.19b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj hath /haθ/ AUX-perf never /ˈnɛvər/ ADV-neg.freq spoken /ˈspoːkən/ V-past.part falsely /ˈfaːlsli/ ADV-manner to /tuː/ PREP any /ˈɛni/ DET-indef man /man/ N-obj, nor /nɔːr/ CONJ-neg suffered /ˈsʌfərd/ V-past.part any /ˈɛni/ DET-indef man /man/ N-subj to /tuː/ PART-inf speak /spiːk/ V-inf falsely /ˈfaːlsli/ ADV-manner unto /ˈʌntuː/ PREP him /hɪm/ PRON-3sg.masc.obj
1.20a When he giveth judgement, he weigheth each particular with the precision of a goldsmith.
1.20b When /ʍɛn/ CONJ-temp he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj giveth /ˈgɪvəθ/ V-pres.3sg judgement /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/ N-obj, he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj weigheth /ˈweɪəθ/ V-pres.3sg each /iːtʃ/ DET-distrib particular /pərˈtɪkjʊlər/ N-obj with /wɪθ/ PREP the /ðə/ DEF.ART precision /prɪˈsɪʒən/ N-obj of /ɒv/ PREP a /a/ INDEF.ART goldsmith /ˈgoːldsmɪθ/ N-obj.gen
1.21a He entertaineth no flatterers at his table, preferring honest speech to honeyed dissimulation.
1.21b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj entertaineth /ɛntərˈteɪnəθ/ V-pres.3sg no /noː/ DET-neg flatterers /ˈflatərərz/ N-obj.pl at /at/ PREP his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc table /ˈteɪbəl/ N-obj, preferring /prɪˈfɛrɪŋ/ V-pres.part honest /ˈɒnɪst/ ADJ speech /spiːtʃ/ N-obj to /tuː/ PREP honeyed /ˈhʌnid/ ADJ dissimulation /dɪsɪmjʊˈleɪsɪən/ N-obj
1.22a Some say he is too severe; I say he is justly firm.
1.22b Some /sʌm/ PRON-indef say /seɪ/ V-pres he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj is /ɪz/ V-pres.3sg-be too /tuː/ ADV-degree severe /sɪˈvɪːr/ ADJ-pred; I /əɪ/ PRON-1sg.subj say /seɪ/ V-pres he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj is /ɪz/ V-pres.3sg-be justly /ˈdʒʌstli/ ADV-manner firm /fɜːrm/ ADJ-pred
1.23a He regardeth his servants not as chattel but as souls committed unto his charge.
1.23b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj regardeth /rɪˈgaːrdəθ/ V-pres.3sg his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc servants /ˈsɜːrvənts/ N-obj.pl not /nɒt/ ADV-neg as /az/ PREP chattel /ˈtʃatəl/ N-obj but /bʌt/ CONJ-advers as /az/ PREP souls /soːlz/ N-obj.pl committed /kəˈmɪtɪd/ V-past.part unto /ˈʌntuː/ PREP his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc charge /tʃaːrdʒ/ N-obj
1.24a When pestilence visited the parish, he remained whilst others fled.
1.24b When /ʍɛn/ CONJ-temp pestilence /ˈpɛstɪləns/ N-subj visited /ˈvɪzɪtɪd/ V-past the /ðə/ DEF.ART parish /ˈparɪʃ/ N-obj, he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj remained /rɪˈmeɪnd/ V-past whilst /ʍəɪlst/ CONJ-temp others /ˈʌðərz/ PRON-indef.pl fled /flɛd/ V-past
1.25a He set his own hand to the burying of the dead when no other would approach.
1.25b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj set /sɛt/ V-past his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc own /oːn/ ADJ hand /hand/ N-obj to /tuː/ PREP the /ðə/ DEF.ART burying /ˈbɛriɪŋ/ N-gerund of /ɒv/ PREP the /ðə/ DEF.ART dead /dɛːd/ N-obj.pl when /ʍɛn/ CONJ-temp no /noː/ DET-neg other /ˈʌðər/ PRON-indef would /wʊld/ AUX-cond approach /əˈproːtʃ/ V-inf
1.26a Such is he whom I have served these twenty years—a man without pretension yet full of virtue.
1.26b Such /sʌtʃ/ DET-demonstr is /ɪz/ V-pres.3sg-be he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj whom /huːm/ REL.PRON-obj I /əɪ/ PRON-1sg.subj have /hav/ AUX-perf served /sɜːrvd/ V-past.part these /ðiːz/ DEM.DET twenty /ˈtwɛnti/ NUM years /jɪːrz/ N-obj.pl—a /a/ INDEF.ART man /man/ N-pred without /wɪðˈaʊt/ PREP pretension /prɪˈtɛnsɪən/ N-obj yet /jɛt/ CONJ-advers full /fʊl/ ADJ of /ɒv/ PREP virtue /ˈvɜːrtjuː/ N-obj.gen
1.27a If any would know the measure of a gentleman, let them look upon he whom I describe.
1.27b If /ɪf/ CONJ-cond any /ˈɛni/ PRON-indef would /wʊld/ AUX-cond know /noː/ V-inf the /ðə/ DEF.ART measure /ˈmɛʒər/ N-obj of /ɒv/ PREP a /a/ INDEF.ART gentleman /ˈdʒɛntəlman/ N-obj.gen, let /lɛt/ V-imper them /ðɛm/ PRON-3pl.obj look /lʊk/ V-inf upon /əˈpɒn/ PREP he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.obj whom /huːm/ REL.PRON I /əɪ/ PRON-1sg.subj describe /dɪˈskrəɪb/ V-pres
1.28a He hath weathered calumny and still maintained his reputation unblemished.
1.28b He /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj hath /haθ/ AUX-perf weathered /ˈwɛðərd/ V-past.part calumny /ˈkalʌmni/ N-obj and /and/ CONJ-coord still /stɪl/ ADV-time maintained /meɪnˈteɪnd/ V-past.part his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc reputation /rɛpjʊˈteɪsɪən/ N-obj unblemished /ʌnˈblɛmɪʃt/ ADJ-pred
1.29a May he prosper long, and may his house flourish unto the last generation.
1.29b May /meɪ/ AUX-opt he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj prosper /ˈprɒspər/ V-inf long /lɒŋ/ ADV-time, and /and/ CONJ-coord may /meɪ/ AUX-opt his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc house /haʊs/ N-subj flourish /ˈflʌrɪʃ/ V-inf unto /ˈʌntuː/ PREP the /ðə/ DEF.ART last /laːst/ ADJ generation /dʒɛnərˈeɪsɪən/ N-obj
1.30a This I attest: he is a man, take him for all in all, and we shall not look upon his like again.
1.30b This /ðɪs/ DEM.PRON I /əɪ/ PRON-1sg.subj attest /əˈtɛst/ V-pres: he /hiː/ PRON-3sg.masc.subj is /ɪz/ V-pres.3sg-be a /a/ INDEF.ART man /man/ N-pred, take /teɪk/ V-imper him /hɪm/ PRON-3sg.masc.obj for /fɔːr/ PREP all /aːl/ PRON-univ in /ɪn/ PREP all /aːl/ PRON-univ, and /and/ CONJ-coord we /wiː/ PRON-1pl.subj shall /ʃal/ AUX-fut not /nɒt/ ADV-neg look /lʊk/ V-inf upon /əˈpɒn/ PREP his /hɪz/ PRON-poss.3sg.masc like /ləɪk/ N-obj again /əˈgɛːn/ ADV-time
1.16 He riseth before dawn and taketh counsel with none but his own conscience. — He rises before dawn and takes counsel with none but his own conscience.
1.17 In matters of governance, he proceedeth with such circumspection as would credit a prince. — In matters of governance, he proceeds with such caution as would honor a prince.
1.18 Though he possesseth wealth sufficient to purchase ease, he laboreth still as would a common man. — Though he possesses wealth enough to buy comfort, he still labors as would an ordinary man.
1.19 He hath never spoken falsely to any man, nor suffered any man to speak falsely unto him. — He has never spoken falsely to anyone, nor allowed anyone to speak falsely to him.
1.20 When he giveth judgement, he weigheth each particular with the precision of a goldsmith. — When he passes judgment, he weighs each detail with the precision of a goldsmith.
1.21 He entertaineth no flatterers at his table, preferring honest speech to honeyed dissimulation. — He entertains no flatterers at his table, preferring honest speech to sweet deception.
1.22 Some say he is too severe; I say he is justly firm. — Some say he is too harsh; I say he is fairly firm.
1.23 He regardeth his servants not as chattel but as souls committed unto his charge. — He regards his servants not as property but as souls entrusted to his care.
1.24 When pestilence visited the parish, he remained whilst others fled. — When plague struck the parish, he stayed while others fled.
1.25 He set his own hand to the burying of the dead when no other would approach. — He put his own hand to burying the dead when no one else would come near.
1.26 Such is he whom I have served these twenty years—a man without pretension yet full of virtue. — Such is the man I have served these twenty years—a man without pretense yet full of virtue.
1.27 If any would know the measure of a gentleman, let them look upon he whom I describe. — If anyone would know the measure of a gentleman, let them look upon him whom I describe.
1.28 He hath weathered calumny and still maintained his reputation unblemished. — He has endured slander and still kept his reputation untarnished.
1.29 May he prosper long, and may his house flourish unto the last generation. — May he prosper long, and may his household thrive to the last generation.
1.30 This I attest: he is a man, take him for all in all, and we shall not look upon his like again. — This I swear: he is a man, take him for all in all, and we shall not see his like again. (Cf. Hamlet I.ii.187–88)
He riseth before dawn and taketh counsel with none but his own conscience. In matters of governance, he proceedeth with such circumspection as would credit a prince. Though he possesseth wealth sufficient to purchase ease, he laboreth still as would a common man. He hath never spoken falsely to any man, nor suffered any man to speak falsely unto him. When he giveth judgement, he weigheth each particular with the precision of a goldsmith.
He entertaineth no flatterers at his table, preferring honest speech to honeyed dissimulation. Some say he is too severe; I say he is justly firm. He regardeth his servants not as chattel but as souls committed unto his charge. When pestilence visited the parish, he remained whilst others fled. He set his own hand to the burying of the dead when no other would approach.
Such is he whom I have served these twenty years—a man without pretension yet full of virtue. If any would know the measure of a gentleman, let them look upon he whom I describe. He hath weathered calumny and still maintained his reputation unblemished. May he prosper long, and may his house flourish unto the last generation. This I attest: he is a man, take him for all in all, and we shall not look upon his like again.
Narrative Point of View and the Third Person
The steward’s monologue demonstrates how Elizabethan prose employed the third person masculine pronoun he to sustain extended character description. The first-person narrator (I) creates the frame, while he carries the descriptive burden, appearing in every sentence to maintain focus on the absent lord.
Optative “May”
The construction “May he prosper” employs the optative mood, expressing a wish or hope. This usage differs from may indicating permission or possibility, functioning instead as a blessing or prayer formula.
The “He Whom” Construction
Example 1.27 uses the emphatic construction “he whom I describe” after the preposition “upon.” Though Modern English would typically use “him” in this position, Elizabethan usage sometimes retained he in formal or elevated discourse, particularly when the pronoun serves as antecedent to a relative clause.
Pronunciation of -tion Words in the Genre Section
Several words in this section feature the characteristic Elizabethan [sɪən] pronunciation: -
circumspection: /sɜːrkəmˈspɛksɪən/ -
dissimulation: /dɪsɪmjʊˈleɪsɪən/ -
pretension: /prɪˈtɛnsɪən/ -
reputation: /rɛpjʊˈteɪsɪən/ -
generation: /dʒɛnərˈeɪsɪən/
This suffix treatment represents one of the most recognizable features distinguishing Original Pronunciation from modern speech.
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Rhotic /r/: Pronounce all written r’s, including word-final and pre-consonantal positions. The Elizabethan /r/ was likely a tap or trill, more similar to modern Scottish or Irish English than to contemporary RP.
The -tion Suffix: Consistently rendered [sɪən]: -
devotion: /dɪˈvoːsɪən/ -
proclamation: /prɒkləˈmeɪsɪən/ -
congregation: /kɒŋgrɪˈgeɪsɪən/
The WH- Distinction: Maintain /ʍ/ (voiceless w) for words beginning with wh-: -
whither: /ˈʍɪðər/ -
when: /ʍɛn/ -
whilst: /ʍəɪlst/ -
what: /ʍat/
The PRICE Vowel: In OP, words like “my,” “I,” and “like” featured a diphthong beginning from schwa: /əɪ/ rather than modern /aɪ/. Thus: -
I: /əɪ/ -
my: /məɪ/ -
like: /ləɪk/ -
rise: /rəɪz/
The -eth Ending: Pronounced /əθ/, adding one syllable: -
speaketh: /ˈspiːkəθ/ (two syllables) -
loveth: /ˈlʌvəθ/ (two syllables) -
walketh: /ˈwaːlkəθ/ (two syllables)
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This lesson forms part of the Latinum Institute’s Elizabethan English Course, designed for autodidacts who wish to read Shakespeare, the King James Bible, and other Early Modern texts with greater fluency and deeper understanding.
The course employs the interlinear construed text method, presenting Elizabethan sentences with word-by-word grammatical analysis and IPA pronunciation. This technique—developed by the Latinum Institute since 2006—allows learners to absorb grammatical patterns through repeated exposure to analyzed examples rather than through abstract rule memorization.
Original Pronunciation (OP) transcriptions throughout the course reflect scholarly consensus on how English sounded during Shakespeare’s lifetime, based on research by David Crystal, Helge Kökeritz, and other historical linguists. Key features include rhotic pronunciation, the [sɪən] rendering of -tion suffixes, and vowel qualities reflecting the Great Vowel Shift in progress.
Course Index:
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