This lesson examines that in its function as a subordinating conjunction in Elizabethan English—the linguistic register of Shakespeare’s London (c. 1580-1620). Unlike the demonstrative pronoun “that” (covered elsewhere), the subordinator that introduces dependent clauses, connecting them to main clauses and establishing logical relationships of result, purpose, or content.
In Early Modern English, that served as the primary means of introducing noun clauses (”I know that he liveth”), result clauses (”So fair that all men marvel”), and purpose clauses (”That we might understand”). The Elizabethans employed that with considerably greater frequency than modern speakers, rarely omitting it where contemporary usage permits ellipsis.
Course Index:
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FAQ: What does “that” mean as a subordinating conjunction in Elizabethan English?
In Elizabethan English, the subordinating conjunction that (pronounced /ðat/ with a clear dental fricative and open front vowel) introduces dependent clauses after verbs of knowing, saying, believing, perceiving, and desiring. It also introduces result clauses following “so” or “such” and purpose clauses expressing intention. The Elizabethans maintained that in positions where modern English frequently omits it, creating more explicit syntactic connections.
Pronunciation Note on Original Pronunciation (OP): This course employs David Crystal’s reconstruction of Early Modern English phonology. Key features include: -
-tion endings pronounced /sjˈon/ or /sɪˈon/ (not modern /ʃən/) -
Rhotic /r/ consistently pronounced in all positions -
The PRICE vowel rendered as /əɪ/ (with schwa onset) -
The GOAT vowel rendered as /oː/ or /əʊ/ -
The FACE vowel rendered as /ɛː/ -
H-dropping common in unstressed positions -
The dental fricative /ð/ fully articulated in “that,” “the,” “this”
-
That as subordinator introduces content clauses after mental and speech verbs -
Elizabethan usage retained that in constructions where modern English omits it -
Result clauses with so...that and such...that were common rhetorical devices -
Purpose clauses with that (meaning “so that” or “in order that”) appear frequently -
The conjunction that differs from the demonstrative pronoun by syntactic position
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22.1a I know that thou speakest truth 22.1b I /əɪ/ I know /noː/ know that /ðat/ SUBORD thou /ðəʊ/ you-FAMILIAR speakest /ˈspiːkəst/ speak-2SG truth /truːθ/ truth
22.2a She believeth that her lord returneth anon 22.2b She /ʃiː/ she believeth /bɪˈliːvəθ/ believe-3SG that /ðat/ SUBORD her /hɛr/ her lord /loːrd/ lord returneth /rɪˈtɜrnəθ/ return-3SG anon /əˈnon/ soon
22.3a They say that the king is wroth 22.3b They /ðeɪ/ they say /sɛː/ say that /ðat/ SUBORD the /ðə/ the king /kɪŋ/ king is /ɪz/ is wroth /roːθ/ angry
22.4a It seemeth that fortune hath forsaken us 22.4b It /ɪt/ it seemeth /ˈsiːməθ/ seem-3SG that /ðat/ SUBORD fortune /ˈfɔrtjun/ fortune hath /haθ/ has forsaken /fərˈsɛːkən/ forsaken us /ʊs/ us
22.5a Methinks that this device shall serve 22.5b Methinks /mɪˈθɪŋks/ I-think that /ðat/ SUBORD this /ðɪs/ this device /dɪˈvəɪs/ plan shall /ʃal/ shall serve /sɛrv/ serve
22.6a So fair she was that all men did wonder 22.6b So /soː/ so fair /fɛːr/ fair she /ʃiː/ she was /waz/ was that /ðat/ RESULT-SUBORD all /aːl/ all men /mɛn/ men did /dɪd/ AUX-PAST wonder /ˈwʊndər/ wonder
22.7a Such villainy it was that none could credit it 22.7b Such /sʊtʃ/ such villainy /ˈvɪlənɪ/ villainy it /ɪt/ it was /waz/ was that /ðat/ RESULT-SUBORD none /nʊn/ none could /kʊd/ could credit /ˈkrɛdɪt/ believe it /ɪt/ it
22.8a He swore that he would be revenged 22.8b He /hiː/ he swore /swoːr/ swore that /ðat/ SUBORD he /hiː/ he would /wʊd/ would be /biː/ be revenged /rɪˈvɛndʒd/ revenged
22.9a We pray that God may grant us peace 22.9b We /wiː/ we pray /prɛː/ pray that /ðat/ PURPOSE-SUBORD God /gɔd/ God may /mɛː/ may grant /graːnt/ grant us /ʊs/ us peace /piːs/ peace
22.10a Dost thou think that I am so easily cozened 22.10b Dost /dʊst/ do-2SG thou /ðəʊ/ you-FAMILIAR think /θɪŋk/ think that /ðat/ SUBORD I /əɪ/ I am /am/ am so /soː/ so easily /ˈiːzɪlɪ/ easily cozened /ˈkʊznd/ deceived
22.11a The rumor goeth that the Turk advanceth upon Christendom 22.11b The /ðə/ the rumor /ˈruːmər/ rumor goeth /ˈgoːəθ/ go-3SG that /ðat/ SUBORD the /ðə/ the Turk /tɜrk/ Turk advanceth /ədˈvaːnsəθ/ advance-3SG upon /əˈpɔn/ upon Christendom /ˈkrɪstəndəm/ Christendom
22.12a Tis evident that these accusations are false 22.12b Tis /tɪz/ it-is evident /ˈɛvɪdənt/ evident that /ðat/ SUBORD these /ðiːz/ these accusations /akjuˈzɛːsjons/ accusations are /aːr/ are false /faːls/ false
22.13a Let us hasten that we arrive ere nightfall 22.13b Let /lɛt/ let us /ʊs/ us hasten /ˈhɛːsn/ hasten that /ðat/ PURPOSE-SUBORD we /wiː/ we arrive /əˈrəɪv/ arrive ere /ɛːr/ before nightfall /ˈnəɪtfaːl/ nightfall
22.14a The players feared that their patron should withdraw his protection 22.14b The /ðə/ the players /ˈplɛːərz/ players feared /fɪːrd/ feared that /ðat/ SUBORD their /ðɛːr/ their patron /ˈpɛːtrən/ patron should /ʃʊd/ should withdraw /wɪðˈdraː/ withdraw his /hɪz/ his protection /proˈtɛksjˈon/ protection
22.15a I warrant thee that this physic shall restore thy humors 22.15b I /əɪ/ I warrant /ˈwɔrənt/ assure thee /ðiː/ you-OBJ-FAMILIAR that /ðat/ SUBORD this /ðɪs/ this physic /ˈfɪzɪk/ medicine shall /ʃal/ shall restore /rɪˈstoːr/ restore thy /ðəɪ/ your-FAMILIAR humors /ˈhjuːmərz/ humors
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22.1 I know that thou speakest truth. “I know that you speak the truth.”
22.2 She believeth that her lord returneth anon. “She believes that her husband will return soon.”
22.3 They say that the king is wroth. “They say that the king is angry.”
22.4 It seemeth that fortune hath forsaken us. “It seems that fortune has abandoned us.”
22.5 Methinks that this device shall serve. “I think that this plan will work.”
22.6 So fair she was that all men did wonder. “She was so beautiful that all men marveled.”
22.7 Such villainy it was that none could credit it. “It was such villainy that no one could believe it.”
22.8 He swore that he would be revenged. “He swore that he would have his revenge.”
22.9 We pray that God may grant us peace. “We pray that God might grant us peace.”
22.10 Dost thou think that I am so easily cozened? “Do you think that I am so easily deceived?”
22.11 The rumor goeth that the Turk advanceth upon Christendom. “The rumor spreads that the Ottoman forces advance upon Christian lands.”
22.12 ‘Tis evident that these accusations are false. “It is evident that these accusations are false.”
22.13 Let us hasten that we arrive ere nightfall. “Let us hurry so that we arrive before nightfall.”
22.14 The players feared that their patron should withdraw his protection. “The actors feared that their patron would withdraw his protection.”
22.15 I warrant thee that this physic shall restore thy humors. “I assure you that this medicine will restore your health.”
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22.1 I know that thou speakest truth.
22.2 She believeth that her lord returneth anon.
22.3 They say that the king is wroth.
22.4 It seemeth that fortune hath forsaken us.
22.5 Methinks that this device shall serve.
22.6 So fair she was that all men did wonder.
22.7 Such villainy it was that none could credit it.
22.8 He swore that he would be revenged.
22.9 We pray that God may grant us peace.
22.10 Dost thou think that I am so easily cozened?
22.11 The rumor goeth that the Turk advanceth upon Christendom.
22.12 ‘Tis evident that these accusations are false.
22.13 Let us hasten that we arrive ere nightfall.
22.14 The players feared that their patron should withdraw his protection.
22.15 I warrant thee that this physic shall restore thy humors.
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These are the grammar rules for the subordinating conjunction “that” in Elizabethan English:
1. Content Clauses (Noun Clauses)
The most common use of that introduces clauses that serve as the object of mental and speech verbs:
Verbs of knowing: know, understand, perceive, see, find Example: “I know that he liveth” — I know he is alive
Verbs of saying: say, tell, swear, declare, affirm, avouch Example: “They swear that she is innocent” — They swear she is innocent
Verbs of thinking: think, believe, suppose, deem, imagine, hope Example: “She hopeth that he will return” — She hopes he will return
Verbs of seeming: seem, appear Example: “It seemeth that the day is lost” — It seems the day is lost
2. Result Clauses (So...that, Such...that)
That introduces clauses showing consequence after intensifiers:
So + adjective/adverb + that: “So hot the day was that none ventured abroad” The day was so hot that no one went outside
Such + noun phrase + that: “Such a clamor arose that the watch came running” Such a commotion arose that the night watch came running
3. Purpose Clauses
That alone could express purpose (where modern English requires “so that” or “in order that”):
“Haste thee that thou arrive betimes” Hurry so that you arrive in time
“Let us pray that God may preserve us” Let us pray so that God might preserve us
4. Elizabethan vs. Modern Usage
The Elizabethans retained that in constructions where modern English typically omits it:
Modern: “I think [Ø] he’s coming” Elizabethan: “I think that he cometh”
Modern: “She said [Ø] she would go” Elizabethan: “She said that she would go”
This explicit retention created clearer syntactic boundaries and often added rhythmic weight suitable for verse.
5. Position and Word Order
That follows directly after the verb or after impersonal constructions:
After verb: “He knoweth that we watch” After impersonal: “’Tis certain that they fled” After noun: “The news that the king is dead” (appositional)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not confuse the subordinating conjunction that with the demonstrative pronoun that (pointing to something) or the relative pronoun that (introducing adjectival clauses). Context and position determine function:
Demonstrative: “That horse is swift” — pointing to a specific horse Relative: “The horse that I bought” — modifying “horse” Subordinator: “I know that the horse is swift” — introducing content clause
Pronunciation Note
In Original Pronunciation, that /ðat/ maintains a clear dental fricative /ð/ and an open front vowel /a/. The unstressed conjunction may reduce slightly in rapid speech but retains its consonantal articulation. Unlike some modern dialects, the initial /ð/ was not typically dropped in Elizabethan standard speech.
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Rhetoric and the Subordinating Art
Elizabethan education, grounded in classical rhetoric, prized the ability to construct complex periodic sentences with multiple embedded clauses. The subordinating that was the primary tool for this hypotactic style, allowing speakers and writers to build elaborate structures of cause and effect, assertion and evidence.
Grammar school students practiced constructing sentences with layered that-clauses, imitating Latin syntax. This training produced the characteristic Elizabethan prose style seen in writers from Lyly to Hooker—sentences that suspend resolution while accumulating subordinate matter.
Formal vs. Colloquial Registers
While elevated prose and verse favored explicit that, colloquial speech could omit it, much as modern English does. Playwrights exploited this variation: noble characters might retain that for dignity, while common characters dropped it for naturalistic effect. Shakespeare’s clowns and mechanicals often speak without that where lords and ladies preserve it.
Legal and Religious Formulae
Legal documents and religious texts of the period employed that with particular frequency. Wills, contracts, and parliamentary acts used that to introduce specified conditions and declarations:
“Be it known that I, John Smith, do hereby bequeath...”
The Book of Common Prayer similarly employed that in its subordinate constructions, creating the ceremonial rhythms familiar to all churchgoing Elizabethans.
Regional Variations
London theatrical speech drew from multiple regional sources. Northern dialects sometimes employed as where southern speech used that: “He said as he would come” versus “He said that he would come.” Playwrights occasionally marked character origins through such variations, though London stage convention generally favored the southern that.
Idiomatic Expressions with That
Several fixed expressions employed the subordinator:
In that — because, inasmuch as: “He erred in that he trusted her” So that — with the result that: “He fell, so that all saw his shame” Now that — since the time when: “Now that thou art returned...” Seeing that — given that: “Seeing that the hour grows late...”
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From William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (c. 1600), Act I, Scene 5, the Ghost reveals to Hamlet the truth of his murder:
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
I /əɪ/ I could /kʊd/ could a /ə/ a tale /tɛːl/ tale unfold /ʊnˈfoːld/ unfold whose /huːz/ whose lightest /ˈləɪtəst/ lightest word /wɜrd/ word would /wʊd/ would harrow /ˈharəʊ/ harrow up /ʊp/ up thy /ðəɪ/ your-FAMILIAR soul /soːl/ soul
freeze /friːz/ freeze thy /ðəɪ/ your-FAMILIAR young /jʊŋ/ young blood /blʊd/ blood make /mɛːk/ make thy /ðəɪ/ your-FAMILIAR two /tuː/ two eyes /əɪz/ eyes like /ləɪk/ like stars /staːrz/ stars start /start/ start from /frɔm/ from their /ðɛːr/ their spheres /sfɪːrz/ spheres
But /bʊt/ but this /ðɪs/ this eternal /ɪˈtɜrnəl/ eternal blazon /ˈblɛːzn/ revelation must /mʊst/ must not /nɔt/ not be /biː/ be to /tuː/ to ears /ɪːrz/ ears of /ɔv/ of flesh /flɛʃ/ flesh and /and/ and blood /blʊd/ blood
List /lɪst/ listen list /lɪst/ listen O /oː/ O list /lɪst/ listen
If /ɪf/ if thou /ðəʊ/ you-FAMILIAR didst /dɪdst/ did ever /ˈɛvər/ ever thy /ðəɪ/ your-FAMILIAR dear /dɪːr/ dear father /ˈfaːðər/ father love /lʊv/ love
Revenge /rɪˈvɛndʒ/ revenge his /hɪz/ his foul /fəʊl/ foul and /and/ and most /moːst/ most unnatural /ʊnˈnatʃərəl/ unnatural murder /ˈmɜrdər/ murder
Murder /ˈmɜrdər/ murder
Ghost /goːst/ ghost Murder /ˈmɜrdər/ murder most /moːst/ most foul /fəʊl/ foul as /az/ as in /ɪn/ in the /ðə/ the best /bɛst/ best it /ɪt/ it is /ɪz/ is
But /bʊt/ but this /ðɪs/ this most /moːst/ most foul /fəʊl/ foul strange /strɛːndʒ/ strange and /and/ and unnatural /ʊnˈnatʃərəl/ unnatural
Hamlet /ˈhamlət/ Hamlet Haste /hɛːst/ haste me /miː/ me to /tuː/ to know’t /noːt/ know-it that /ðat/ SUBORD I /əɪ/ I with /wɪð/ with wings /wɪŋz/ wings as /az/ as swift /swɪft/ swift
As /az/ as meditation /mɛdɪˈtɛːsjˈon/ meditation or /ɔr/ or the /ðə/ the thoughts /θɔːts/ thoughts of /ɔv/ of love /lʊv/ love
May /mɛː/ may sweep /swiːp/ sweep to /tuː/ to my /məɪ/ my revenge /rɪˈvɛndʒ/ revenge
F-B: Authentic Text with Translation
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres. But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O list! If thou didst ever thy dear father love— Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Murder? Murder most foul, as in the best it is, But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge.
“I could tell you a tale whose mildest word would tear at your soul, freeze your young blood, make your eyes bulge from their sockets like startled stars leaving their orbits. But this revelation of eternity must not be told to mortal ears. Listen, listen, oh listen! If you ever loved your dear father—avenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Murder? Murder most foul, as even the best murder is, but this one most foul, strange, and unnatural. Tell me quickly, so that I, with wings as swift as thought or love, may fly to my revenge.”
F-C: Authentic Text Only
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres. But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O list! If thou didst ever thy dear father love— Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Murder? Murder most foul, as in the best it is, But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
The key line for our lesson is Hamlet’s response: “Haste me to know’t, that I...may sweep to my revenge.” Here that introduces a purpose clause—Hamlet wants to know quickly so that he can take revenge. This purpose use of that was common in Elizabethan English where modern usage might require “so that.”
Note the pronunciation of meditation /mɛdɪˈtɛːsjˈon/ with the period-accurate -tion ending, rhyming with the long vowel in love through the convention of poetic license. The word blazon /ˈblɛːzn/ (heraldic proclamation, here meaning revelation) demonstrates the Elizabethan preference for Latinate vocabulary in elevated contexts.
The imperative list (listen) is now archaic, surviving only in the compound “listen” itself. Harrow meant to torment or lacerate—the soul harrowed like a field torn by the harrow’s teeth.
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A scene at the Globe Theatre, wherein a nobleman interrogates his steward concerning suspected treachery, demonstrating the subordinating conjunction “that” in dramatic dialogue.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
22.16a I am told that thou hast spoken with mine enemies 22.16b I /əɪ/ I am /am/ am told /toːld/ told that /ðat/ SUBORD thou /ðəʊ/ you-FAMILIAR hast /hast/ have-2SG spoken /ˈspoːkən/ spoken with /wɪð/ with mine /məɪn/ my enemies /ˈɛnəmɪz/ enemies
22.17a Nay my lord I swear that I have not 22.17b Nay /nɛː/ no my /məɪ/ my lord /loːrd/ lord I /əɪ/ I swear /swɛːr/ swear that /ðat/ SUBORD I /əɪ/ I have /hav/ have not /nɔt/ not
22.18a Then how comes it that thou wast seen at their lodgings 22.18b Then /ðɛn/ then how /həʊ/ how comes /kʊmz/ come-3SG it /ɪt/ it that /ðat/ SUBORD thou /ðəʊ/ you-FAMILIAR wast /wast/ were-2SG seen /siːn/ seen at /at/ at their /ðɛːr/ their lodgings /ˈlɔdʒɪŋz/ lodgings
22.19a I confess that I did pass their door but entered not 22.19b I /əɪ/ I confess /kənˈfɛs/ confess that /ðat/ SUBORD I /əɪ/ I did /dɪd/ AUX-PAST pass /pas/ pass their /ðɛːr/ their door /doːr/ door but /bʊt/ but entered /ˈɛntərd/ entered not /nɔt/ not
22.20a So convenient a tale that I scarce can credit it 22.20b So /soː/ so convenient /kənˈviːnjənt/ convenient a /ə/ a tale /tɛːl/ tale that /ðat/ RESULT-SUBORD I /əɪ/ I scarce /skɛːrs/ scarcely can /kan/ can credit /ˈkrɛdɪt/ believe it /ɪt/ it
22.21a Dost thou think that I would hazard all for so little 22.21b Dost /dʊst/ do-2SG thou /ðəʊ/ you-FAMILIAR think /θɪŋk/ think that /ðat/ SUBORD I /əɪ/ I would /wʊd/ would hazard /ˈhazərd/ risk all /aːl/ all for /fɔr/ for so /soː/ so little /ˈlɪtl/ little
22.22a I know not what to believe save that appearances condemn thee 22.22b I /əɪ/ I know /noː/ know not /nɔt/ not what /ʍat/ what to /tuː/ INF believe /bɪˈliːv/ believe save /sɛːv/ except that /ðat/ SUBORD appearances /əˈpɪːrənsɪz/ appearances condemn /kənˈdɛm/ condemn thee /ðiː/ you-OBJ-FAMILIAR
22.23a Then let me call witnesses that they may speak for me 22.23b Then /ðɛn/ then let /lɛt/ let me /miː/ me call /kaːl/ call witnesses /ˈwɪtnəsɪz/ witnesses that /ðat/ PURPOSE-SUBORD they /ðeɪ/ they may /mɛː/ may speak /spiːk/ speak for /fɔr/ for me /miː/ me
22.24a Such witnesses as thou wouldst produce that I cannot trust 22.24b Such /sʊtʃ/ such witnesses /ˈwɪtnəsɪz/ witnesses as /az/ as thou /ðəʊ/ you-FAMILIAR wouldst /wʊdst/ would-2SG produce /prəˈdjuːs/ produce that /ðat/ SUBORD I /əɪ/ I cannot /ˈkanɔt/ cannot trust /trʊst/ trust
22.25a My lord I pray you that you give me time to prove mine innocence 22.25b My /məɪ/ my lord /loːrd/ lord I /əɪ/ I pray /prɛː/ pray you /juː/ you-FORMAL that /ðat/ PURPOSE-SUBORD you /juː/ you-FORMAL give /gɪv/ give me /miː/ me time /təɪm/ time to /tuː/ INF prove /pruːv/ prove mine /məɪn/ my innocence /ˈɪnəsəns/ innocence
22.26a Time shall prove nothing that gold hath not already purchased 22.26b Time /təɪm/ time shall /ʃal/ shall prove /pruːv/ prove nothing /ˈnʊθɪŋ/ nothing that /ðat/ SUBORD gold /goːld/ gold hath /haθ/ has not /nɔt/ not already /aːlˈrɛdɪ/ already purchased /ˈpɜrtʃəst/ purchased
22.27a I see that you have already condemned me in your heart 22.27b I /əɪ/ I see /siː/ see that /ðat/ SUBORD you /juː/ you-FORMAL have /hav/ have already /aːlˈrɛdɪ/ already condemned /kənˈdɛmd/ condemned me /miː/ me in /ɪn/ in your /jʊːr/ your-FORMAL heart /haːrt/ heart
22.28a Not so but I would have thee know that justice shall be done 22.28b Not /nɔt/ not so /soː/ so but /bʊt/ but I /əɪ/ I would /wʊd/ would have /hav/ have thee /ðiː/ you-OBJ-FAMILIAR know /noː/ know that /ðat/ SUBORD justice /ˈdʒʊstɪs/ justice shall /ʃal/ shall be /biː/ be done /dʊn/ done
22.29a Then I am content that the matter be examined fully 22.29b Then /ðɛn/ then I /əɪ/ I am /am/ am content /kənˈtɛnt/ content that /ðat/ SUBORD the /ðə/ the matter /ˈmatər/ matter be /biː/ be-SUBJUNCTIVE examined /ɪgˈzamɪnd/ examined fully /ˈfʊlɪ/ fully
22.30a So be it I trust that truth will out and that the guilty shall suffer 22.30b So /soː/ so be /biː/ be it /ɪt/ it I /əɪ/ I trust /trʊst/ trust that /ðat/ SUBORD truth /truːθ/ truth will /wɪl/ will out /əʊt/ out and /and/ and that /ðat/ SUBORD the /ðə/ the guilty /ˈgɪltɪ/ guilty shall /ʃal/ shall suffer /ˈsʊfər/ suffer
Part B: Natural Sentences
22.16 I am told that thou hast spoken with mine enemies. “I am told that you have spoken with my enemies.”
22.17 Nay, my lord, I swear that I have not. “No, my lord, I swear that I have not.”
22.18 Then how comes it that thou wast seen at their lodgings? “Then how is it that you were seen at their lodgings?”
22.19 I confess that I did pass their door, but entered not. “I confess that I did pass their door, but I did not enter.”
22.20 So convenient a tale that I scarce can credit it. “Such a convenient tale that I can scarcely believe it.”
22.21 Dost thou think that I would hazard all for so little? “Do you think that I would risk everything for so little?”
22.22 I know not what to believe, save that appearances condemn thee. “I do not know what to believe, except that appearances condemn you.”
22.23 Then let me call witnesses, that they may speak for me. “Then let me call witnesses, so that they may speak in my defense.”
22.24 Such witnesses as thou wouldst produce, that I cannot trust. “Such witnesses as you would bring forward, I cannot trust.”
22.25 My lord, I pray you that you give me time to prove mine innocence. “My lord, I beg you to give me time to prove my innocence.”
22.26 Time shall prove nothing that gold hath not already purchased. “Time will prove nothing that gold has not already bought.”
22.27 I see that you have already condemned me in your heart. “I see that you have already condemned me in your heart.”
22.28 Not so, but I would have thee know that justice shall be done. “Not so, but I want you to know that justice will be done.”
22.29 Then I am content that the matter be examined fully. “Then I am satisfied that the matter should be examined thoroughly.”
22.30 So be it. I trust that truth will out, and that the guilty shall suffer. “So be it. I trust that the truth will emerge, and that the guilty will suffer.”
Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
22.16 I am told that thou hast spoken with mine enemies.
22.17 Nay, my lord, I swear that I have not.
22.18 Then how comes it that thou wast seen at their lodgings?
22.19 I confess that I did pass their door, but entered not.
22.20 So convenient a tale that I scarce can credit it.
22.21 Dost thou think that I would hazard all for so little?
22.22 I know not what to believe, save that appearances condemn thee.
22.23 Then let me call witnesses, that they may speak for me.
22.24 Such witnesses as thou wouldst produce, that I cannot trust.
22.25 My lord, I pray you that you give me time to prove mine innocence.
22.26 Time shall prove nothing that gold hath not already purchased.
22.27 I see that you have already condemned me in your heart.
22.28 Not so, but I would have thee know that justice shall be done.
22.29 Then I am content that the matter be examined fully.
22.30 So be it. I trust that truth will out, and that the guilty shall suffer.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This dialogue demonstrates multiple functions of the subordinating that:
Content clauses after speech verbs: “I swear that I have not” (22.17), “I confess that I did pass” (22.19)
Content clauses after mental verbs: “Dost thou think that I would hazard” (22.21), “I see that you have condemned” (22.27), “I trust that truth will out” (22.30)
Result clauses with intensifiers: “So convenient a tale that I scarce can credit it” (22.20)
Purpose clauses: “let me call witnesses, that they may speak for me” (22.23)—here that alone expresses purpose
After impersonal constructions: “how comes it that thou wast seen” (22.18)
After expressions of satisfaction/content: “I am content that the matter be examined” (22.29)—note the subjunctive be in the that-clause
The dialogue also shows the pronoun system: thou/thee/thy for the steward (marking his lower status or the lord’s familiarity/contempt), you/your when the steward addresses his lord (marking respect and formality). Note “I pray you that you give” (22.25)—the steward maintains the formal pronoun even while begging.
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Key Sounds for Original Pronunciation (OP)
The PRICE vowel /əɪ/: Words like I, time, life, wife begin with a schwa and glide to /ɪ/. Modern RP /aɪ/ evolved from this earlier form. Thus: “my life” = /məɪ ləɪf/
The GOAT vowel /oː/ or /əʊ/: Words like know, so, go were more pure and back than modern forms. Thus: “I know” = /əɪ noː/
The FACE vowel /ɛː/: Words like make, take, say had a more open quality. Thus: “they say” = /ðeɪ sɛː/
Rhoticity: All R’s were pronounced: lord /loːrd/, heart /haːrt/, murder /ˈmɜrdər/
The -tion suffix /sjˈon/ or /sɪˈon/: Protection = /proˈtɛksjˈon/, meditation = /mɛdɪˈtɛːsjˈon/, accusation = /akjuˈzɛːsjˈon/. This is perhaps the most distinctive feature of OP for modern ears.
The subordinator THAT /ðat/: Clear dental fricative /ð/, open front vowel /a/. In rapid speech, may reduce but retains consonant.
Common Pronunciation Errors for Modern Speakers -
Pronouncing -tion as modern /ʃən/ rather than OP /sjˈon/ -
Dropping R’s in words like lord, heart, murder -
Using modern /aɪ/ instead of OP /əɪ/ for the PRICE vowel -
Over-rounding /oː/ in GOAT words -
Losing the dental fricative /ð/ in that, the, thou
Audio Reference Suggestions
David Crystal and Ben Crystal have produced numerous recordings demonstrating Original Pronunciation, available through the British Library and Shakespeare’s Globe. The British Library CD Shakespeare’s Original Pronunciation provides an excellent introduction.
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This Elizabethan English course follows the Latinum Institute methodology, which has been creating language learning materials for autodidacts since 2006. The construed text approach—presenting target language with word-by-word glosses—allows learners to absorb grammatical patterns through repeated exposure rather than abstract rule-memorization.
For Elizabethan English, this method proves particularly valuable. The language sits at a fascinating threshold: familiar enough that modern English speakers can read it with effort, yet distant enough that pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar present genuine challenges. The interlinear format bridges this gap, revealing the structure beneath Shakespeare’s seemingly accessible surface.
Course Index:
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The 1000-word frequency curriculum ensures systematic coverage of the most essential vocabulary, from grammatical function words (like today’s that) through concrete nouns and action verbs to abstract concepts. Each lesson builds familiarity through varied examples and authentic literary citations.
By studying Elizabethan English through Original Pronunciation, learners gain not only reading proficiency but an auditory understanding of how Shakespeare’s words were meant to sound—recovering rhymes, puns, and rhythmic effects invisible to modern readers.
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✓ Lesson 022 Elizabethan English complete
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