Welcome to Lesson 024 of the Elizabethan English course. This lesson focuses on the pronoun they, the third person plural subject pronoun used in Early Modern English precisely as it functions today, though within a linguistic system where pronunciation, competing forms, and social register operated quite differently from our own.
Course Index:
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FAQ: What does “they” mean in Elizabethan English?
In Shakespeare’s English, they /ðeɪ/ serves as the nominative (subject) plural pronoun for third person reference, exactly as in Modern English. However, Elizabethan speakers employed this pronoun within a more elaborate system that distinguished they (subject), them (object), their (possessive determiner), and theirs (possessive pronoun). The pronoun derives from Old Norse þeir, having replaced the Old English forms hīe/hī during the Middle English period due to Scandinavian influence in the Danelaw regions.
In the fifteen examples that follow, you will encounter they in varied syntactic positions and contexts representative of the dramatic, poetic, and prose registers of Elizabethan writing. The interlinear construed text method allows you to parse each sentence word by word, absorbing both meaning and period pronunciation simultaneously.
Key Takeaways: -
They functions identically to its modern equivalent as third person plural subject -
Period pronunciation featured rhotic /r/ in all positions and distinct vowel qualities -
Elizabethan speakers used they alongside the singular familiar thou and formal you, creating a rich pronominal system -
The suffix -tion was pronounced /sɪən/ rather than modern /ʃən/ -
Understanding Early Modern pronunciation reveals puns and rhymes invisible to modern ears
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Key Features of Original Pronunciation (OP):
Elizabethan English, also called Early Modern English (EME), differed substantially from both Modern British Received Pronunciation and American English. The Great Vowel Shift was still completing during Shakespeare’s lifetime, producing a sound-world between Chaucer and ourselves.
Vowels and Diphthongs:
The FACE vowel was monophthongal /ɛː/ rather than modern /eɪ/. The PRICE vowel began with schwa /əɪ/. The GOAT vowel was /oː/ not /əʊ/. The MOUTH vowel likewise had a centered onset /əʊ/.
Rhoticity:
All instances of orthographic ‘r’ were fully pronounced. Words like “heart,” “lord,” and “never” retained clear /r/ coloring: /hɛːrt/, /lɔːrd/, /nɛvər/.
The -TION Suffix:
Crucially for this course, words ending in -tion and -sion were pronounced /sɪən/ and /zɪən/, not modern /ʃən/ and /ʒən/. Thus “nation” was /nɛːsɪən/, “fashion” was /fasɪən/, and “occasion” was /əkeɪzɪən/.
Consonants:
The /hw/ distinction in “which,” “where,” “when” was maintained: /ʍɪtʃ/, /ʍɛːr/, /ʍɛn/. Initial /kn/ and /gn/ in “knight” and “gnat” may still have been partially sounded by conservative speakers.
IPA Conventions Used: -
/ð/ = voiced “th” as in “they” -
/θ/ = voiceless “th” as in “think” -
/ɛː/ = long open-mid front vowel (FACE set) -
/əɪ/ = schwa-onset diphthong (PRICE set) -
/oː/ = long close-mid back vowel (GOAT set) -
/ʊ/ = near-close back vowel (FOOT set) -
/r/ = rhotic r, pronounced in all positions
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24.1a They do speak of things beyond our apprehension.
24.1b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM do /duː/ AUX-emphatic speak /spɛːk/ speak of /ɔv/ of things /θɪŋz/ things beyond /bɪjɔnd/ beyond our /əʊr/ our-POSS apprehension /aprɪhɛnsɪən/ understanding
24.2a They that dwell in the shadow know not the light.
24.2b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM that /ðat/ REL-who dwell /dwɛl/ dwell in /ɪn/ in the /ðə/ the shadow /ʃadoː/ shadow know /noː/ know not /nɔt/ not the /ðə/ the light /ləɪt/ light
24.3a Marry, they are come hither to make merry.
24.3b Marry /marɪ/ indeed-INTERJ they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM are /ar/ are come /kʊm/ come-PERF hither /hɪðər/ hither-ADV to /tuː/ to make /mɛːk/ make merry /mɛrɪ/ merry
24.4a What think they of the King’s proclamation?
24.4b What /ʍat/ what think /θɪŋk/ think they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM of /ɔv/ of the /ðə/ the King’s /kɪŋz/ King-GEN proclamation /prɔklamɛːsɪən/ proclamation
24.5a If they would but hearken, much grief were spared.
24.5b If /ɪf/ if they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM would /wʊd/ would-COND but /bʊt/ only hearken /harkən/ listen much /mʊtʃ/ much grief /griːf/ grief were /wɛːr/ were-SUBJ spared /spɛːrd/ spared
24.6a They say the pestilence doth rage in London town.
24.6b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM say /sɛː/ say the /ðə/ the pestilence /pɛstɪləns/ plague doth /dʊθ/ does-3SG rage /rɛːdʒ/ rage in /ɪn/ in London /lʊndən/ London town /təʊn/ town
24.7a The players, they did present a most excellent tragedy.
24.7b The /ðə/ the players /plɛːərz/ actors they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM did /dɪd/ did-PAST present /prɪzɛnt/ present a /ə/ a most /moːst/ most excellent /ɛksələnt/ excellent tragedy /tradʒɪdɪ/ tragedy
24.8a Can they not see that ruin attendeth such vain ambition?
24.8b Can /kan/ can they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM not /nɔt/ not see /siː/ see that /ðat/ that ruin /ruːɪn/ ruin attendeth /ətɛndəθ/ attends-3SG such /sʊtʃ/ such vain /vɛːn/ vain ambition /ambɪsɪən/ ambition
24.9a They whose hearts are pure shall inherit the kingdom.
24.9b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM whose /huːz/ whose-REL hearts /harts/ hearts are /ar/ are pure /pjuːr/ pure shall /ʃal/ shall-FUT inherit /ɪnhɛrɪt/ inherit the /ðə/ the kingdom /kɪŋdəm/ kingdom
24.10a They that plot in darkness shall perish in the light.
24.10b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM that /ðat/ that-REL plot /plɔt/ plot in /ɪn/ in darkness /darknəs/ darkness shall /ʃal/ shall-FUT perish /pɛrɪʃ/ perish in /ɪn/ in the /ðə/ the light /ləɪt/ light
24.11a And so they parted, each to his several way.
24.11b And /and/ and so /soː/ so they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM parted /partɪd/ parted-PAST each /iːtʃ/ each to /tuː/ to his /hɪz/ his several /sɛvrəl/ separate way /wɛː/ way
24.12a Sith they have sworn it, let it be performed.
24.12b Sith /sɪθ/ since-CONJ they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM have /hav/ have-AUX sworn /swɔːrn/ sworn-PERF it /ɪt/ it let /lɛt/ let-IMP it /ɪt/ it be /biː/ be performed /pərfɔːrmd/ performed
24.13a They are the very mirror of fashion and the glass of form.
24.13b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM are /ar/ are the /ðə/ the very /vɛrɪ/ very mirror /mɪrər/ mirror of /ɔv/ of fashion /fasɪən/ fashion and /and/ and the /ðə/ the glass /glas/ glass of /ɔv/ of form /fɔːrm/ form
24.14a As they were wont, the commons murmur still.
24.14b As /az/ as they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM were /wɛːr/ were wont /wɔnt/ accustomed the /ðə/ the commons /kɔmənz/ common-people murmur /mʊrmər/ murmur still /stɪl/ still-ADV
24.15a They shall be confounded that put their trust in princes.
24.15b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM shall /ʃal/ shall-FUT be /biː/ be confounded /kənfəʊndɪd/ confounded that /ðat/ that-REL put /pʊt/ put their /ðɛːr/ their-POSS trust /trʊst/ trust in /ɪn/ in princes /prɪnsɪz/ princes
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24.1 They do speak of things beyond our apprehension. “They speak of things beyond our understanding.”
24.2 They that dwell in the shadow know not the light. “Those who dwell in shadow do not know the light.”
24.3 Marry, they are come hither to make merry. “Indeed, they have come here to celebrate.”
24.4 What think they of the King’s proclamation? “What do they think of the King’s proclamation?”
24.5 If they would but hearken, much grief were spared. “If only they would listen, much grief would be avoided.”
24.6 They say the pestilence doth rage in London town. “They say the plague rages in London.”
24.7 The players, they did present a most excellent tragedy. “The actors presented a most excellent tragedy.”
24.8 Can they not see that ruin attendeth such vain ambition? “Can they not see that ruin follows such empty ambition?”
24.9 They whose hearts are pure shall inherit the kingdom. “Those whose hearts are pure will inherit the kingdom.”
24.10 They that plot in darkness shall perish in the light. “Those who plot in darkness will perish in the light.”
24.11 And so they parted, each to his several way. “And so they parted, each going their separate ways.”
24.12 Sith they have sworn it, let it be performed. “Since they have sworn it, let it be carried out.”
24.13 They are the very mirror of fashion and the glass of form. “They are the perfect model of style and proper behavior.”
24.14 As they were wont, the commons murmur still. “As was their custom, the common people continue to grumble.”
24.15 They shall be confounded that put their trust in princes. “Those who put their trust in princes will be disappointed.”
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24.1 They do speak of things beyond our apprehension.
24.2 They that dwell in the shadow know not the light.
24.3 Marry, they are come hither to make merry.
24.4 What think they of the King’s proclamation?
24.5 If they would but hearken, much grief were spared.
24.6 They say the pestilence doth rage in London town.
24.7 The players, they did present a most excellent tragedy.
24.8 Can they not see that ruin attendeth such vain ambition?
24.9 They whose hearts are pure shall inherit the kingdom.
24.10 They that plot in darkness shall perish in the light.
24.11 And so they parted, each to his several way.
24.12 Sith they have sworn it, let it be performed.
24.13 They are the very mirror of fashion and the glass of form.
24.14 As they were wont, the commons murmur still.
24.15 They shall be confounded that put their trust in princes.
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These are the grammar rules for the pronoun “they” in Elizabethan English:
Basic Function:
The pronoun they serves as the third person plural nominative (subject) form. It corresponds to the Latin illi/illae/illa and functions identically to its modern descendant. As subject, they governs plural verb agreement and stands in nominative case position.
The Pronoun Paradigm:
Elizabethan English maintained a full pronoun paradigm for the third person plural. The nominative form they /ðeɪ/ appears as subject. The accusative/dative form them /ðɛm/ serves as object. The possessive determiner their /ðɛːr/ modifies nouns. The possessive pronoun theirs /ðɛːrz/ stands independently.
Demonstrative Function:
In Early Modern English, they frequently functions as a demonstrative meaning “those” when followed by a relative clause: “they that dwell” = “those who dwell.” This usage, common in Shakespeare and the King James Bible, was inherited from Middle English and remains marginally grammatical in formal Modern English.
Subject-Verb Inversion:
Elizabethan syntax commonly inverts subject and verb in questions without requiring an auxiliary: “What think they?” rather than Modern English “What do they think?” This V2 (verb-second) remnant from earlier Germanic syntax appears frequently in period texts.
Emphatic Do:
The auxiliary “do” appears with they for emphasis rather than mere question formation: “They do speak” emphasizes the speaking, whereas “They speak” is neutral. This emphatic usage survives in Modern English only in contradiction contexts.
Verb Inflection with They:
Third person plural verbs accompanying they typically lack the -th/-eth ending reserved for singulars: “they speak” (not *they speaketh). The -th ending marks third person singular: “he speaketh” / “they speak.”
Common Mistakes:
Modern speakers may incorrectly apply singular verb endings with plural subjects. Remember that doth and hath accompany singular subjects, while plural subjects take uninflected forms.
Another error involves the pronunciation of they itself. The period pronunciation /ðeɪ/ resembles modern usage, but within sentences, unstressed they may reduce to /ðe/ or /ðɪ/.
Grammatical Summary:
The pronoun they operates at the intersection of person, number, and case. First person plural we contrasts with second person you (plural or formal singular) and third person they. Elizabethan English distinguished number more clearly than modern usage through verb inflection and the preserved thou/you distinction, making they unambiguously plural in ways that modern you no longer achieves.
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Social Dimensions of Pronoun Usage:
Elizabethan England maintained a complex system of address that modern English has simplified. Where we use you universally for second person, Shakespeare’s contemporaries navigated between intimate thou and respectful you. The third person plural they, while less socially charged, participated in this system through its demonstrative function: “they that would climb” often carried moral judgment—those unnamed others who transgress.
Stage Conventions:
In theatrical usage, they often refers to characters not present on stage, creating a sense of the wider world beyond the boards. When Hamlet speaks of “they,” he invokes the Danish court, the players, the powers of fate—all the forces that constrain human action. The pronoun’s apparent simplicity masks its dramatic function as a portal to the unseen.
The Commons and the Court:
When Elizabethan texts reference they in political contexts—”they say,” “they murmur,” “they think”—this often points to the common people, the groundlings, public opinion. Official Elizabethan discourse worried constantly about what they were saying, thinking, planning. The pronoun could conjure the specter of popular unrest with a single syllable.
Religious Language:
Biblical influence pervades Elizabethan pronoun usage. The phrase “they that” echoing Psalms and Proverbs (”they that sow in tears shall reap in joy”) carries scriptural authority. Speakers deployed this construction to invoke divine law and eternal consequences: “they that plot in darkness shall perish in the light” echoes prophetic warning.
Regional Variation:
While the pronoun they remained consistent across dialects, its pronunciation varied. Northern speakers, closer to the Scandinavian origins of the word, may have used forms approaching /ðaɪ/ or retaining older vowel qualities. Stage pronunciation in London likely standardized toward the /ðeɪ/ form that became modern English.
Etymology and Norse Influence:
The pronoun they represents one of English’s most remarkable borrowings—a core grammatical element replaced wholesale by a foreign word. Old Norse þeir displaced Old English hīe during the centuries of Scandinavian settlement. By Shakespeare’s day, this Nordic inheritance was entirely naturalized, its foreign origin forgotten.
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Source: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene 2 (c. 1600)
F-A: INTERLINEAR CONSTRUED TEXT
Suit /suːt/ suit the /ðə/ the action /aksɪən/ action to /tuː/ to the /ðə/ the word /wʊrd/ word the /ðə/ the word /wʊrd/ word to /tuː/ to the /ðə/ the action /aksɪən/ action with /wɪθ/ with this /ðɪs/ this special /spɛsɪəl/ special observance /ɔbzərvəns/ observance that /ðat/ that you /juː/ you o’erstep /oːrstɛp/ overstep not /nɔt/ not the /ðə/ the modesty /mɔdɪstɪ/ modesty of /ɔv/ of nature /nɛːtʃər/ nature for /fɔːr/ for anything /ɛnɪθɪŋ/ anything so /soː/ so overdone /oːvərdʊn/ overdone is /ɪz/ is from /frɔm/ against the /ðə/ the purpose /pʊrpəs/ purpose of /ɔv/ of playing /plɛːɪŋ/ playing whose /huːz/ whose end /ɛnd/ end both /boːθ/ both at /at/ at the /ðə/ the first /fʊrst/ first and /and/ and now /nəʊ/ now was /waz/ was and /and/ and is /ɪz/ is to /tuː/ to hold /hoːld/ hold as /az/ as ‘twere /twɛːr/ it-were the /ðə/ the mirror /mɪrər/ mirror up /ʊp/ up to /tuː/ to nature /nɛːtʃər/ nature to /tuː/ to show /ʃoː/ show virtue /vərtʃuː/ virtue her /hɛːr/ her own /oːn/ own feature /fiːtʃər/ feature scorn /skɔːrn/ scorn her /hɛːr/ her own /oːn/ own image /ɪmɪdʒ/ image and /and/ and the /ðə/ the very /vɛrɪ/ very age /ɛːdʒ/ age and /and/ and body /bɔdɪ/ body of /ɔv/ of the /ðə/ the time /təɪm/ time his /hɪz/ his form /fɔːrm/ form and /and/ and pressure /prɛsər/ pressure
F-B: NATURAL TEXT WITH TRANSLATION
Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special observance, that you o’erstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end both at the first and now, was and is to hold as ‘twere the mirror up to nature, to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure.
“Match the physical action to the words, and the words to the action, taking special care not to overstep the bounds of natural behavior; for anything overdone defeats the purpose of acting, which both originally and now has been and is to hold a mirror up to nature—to show virtue her own reflection, scorn her own image, and to show the present age its true form and character.”
F-C: ORIGINAL TEXT ONLY
Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special observance, that you o’erstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end both at the first and now, was and is to hold as ‘twere the mirror up to nature, to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure.
F-D: GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY NOTES
This celebrated passage from Hamlet’s advice to the players demonstrates several features relevant to our lesson. The phrase “whose end... was and is to hold” employs the relative whose with the implicit antecedent “playing,” showing how third person reference operates even without the explicit pronoun they. The construction “to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image” personifies abstract nouns as feminine, requiring the possessive her, while “the time” takes masculine his—reflecting grammatical gender surviving from earlier English.
Note the pronunciation of action /aksɪən/ with the period-appropriate /sɪən/ suffix rather than modern /ʃən/. Similarly modesty /mɔdɪstɪ/, observance /ɔbzərvəns/, and nature /nɛːtʃər/ all preserve qualities lost in modern pronunciation.
The phrase “’twere” contracts “it were,” using the subjunctive were to create a hypothetical comparison. This contraction, common in verse, maintains the meter while conveying tentative analogy: the stage holds up not a literal mirror but something functioning as one might.
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A scene in the antechamber of a noble house. Two servants, WILL and ROGER, discuss their masters.
24.16a They do quarrel again, the Lord and his Lady.
24.16b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM do /duː/ AUX-emphatic quarrel /kwarəl/ quarrel again /əgɛːn/ again the /ðə/ the Lord /lɔːrd/ lord and /and/ and his /hɪz/ his-POSS Lady /lɛːdɪ/ lady
24.17a Aye, they have been at odds these three days past.
24.17b Aye /aɪ/ yes-INTERJ they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM have /hav/ have-AUX been /biːn/ been at /at/ at odds /ɔdz/ odds these /ðiːz/ these three /θriː/ three days /dɛːz/ days past /past/ past-ADV
24.18a What manner of thing hath set they so at variance?
24.18b What /ʍat/ what manner /manər/ manner of /ɔv/ of thing /θɪŋ/ thing hath /haθ/ has-3SG set /sɛt/ set they /ðeɪ/ them-ACC so /soː/ so at /at/ at variance /varɪəns/ variance
24.19a They say ‘tis a matter of the Lady’s kin.
24.19b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM say /sɛː/ say ‘tis /tɪz/ it-is a /ə/ a matter /matər/ matter of /ɔv/ of the /ðə/ the Lady’s /lɛːdɪz/ lady-GEN kin /kɪn/ kin
24.20a Her brothers—they would have preferment at court.
24.20b Her /hɛːr/ her-POSS brothers /brʊðərz/ brothers they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM would /wʊd/ would have /hav/ have preferment /prɪfɛːrmənt/ advancement at /at/ at court /koːrt/ court
24.21a And my Lord, he thinketh they be overreaching knaves.
24.21b And /and/ and my /maɪ/ my Lord /lɔːrd/ lord he /hiː/ he-NOM thinketh /θɪŋkəθ/ thinks-3SG they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM be /biː/ be-SUBJ overreaching /oːvərriːtʃɪŋ/ grasping knaves /nɛːvz/ rogues
24.22a They have borrowed money from him ere this, I warrant.
24.22b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM have /hav/ have-AUX borrowed /bɔroːd/ borrowed money /mʊnɪ/ money from /frɔm/ from him /hɪm/ him-ACC ere /ɛːr/ before this /ðɪs/ this I /aɪ/ I warrant /wɔrənt/ warrant-1SG
24.23a ‘Tis true—they never did repay what they owed.
24.23b ‘Tis /tɪz/ it-is true /truː/ true they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM never /nɛvər/ never did /dɪd/ did-PAST repay /rɪpɛː/ repay what /ʍat/ what they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM owed /oːd/ owed
24.24a Now they clamour for places, as though ‘twere their due.
24.24b Now /nəʊ/ now they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM clamour /klamər/ clamour for /fɔːr/ for places /plɛːsɪz/ positions as /az/ as though /ðoː/ though ‘twere /twɛːr/ it-were their /ðɛːr/ their-POSS due /djuː/ due
24.25a Soft—they come this way. Let us seem busy.
24.25b Soft /sɔft/ hush-INTERJ they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM come /kʊm/ come this /ðɪs/ this way /wɛː/ way Let /lɛt/ let-IMP us /ʊs/ us-ACC seem /siːm/ seem busy /bɪzɪ/ busy
24.26a Where go they in such haste?
24.26b Where /ʍɛːr/ where go /goː/ go they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM in /ɪn/ in such /sʊtʃ/ such haste /hɛːst/ haste
24.27a To the great chamber, I think—they seek audience.
24.27b To /tuː/ to the /ðə/ the great /grɛːt/ great chamber /tʃɛːmbər/ chamber I /aɪ/ I think /θɪŋk/ think they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM seek /siːk/ seek audience /ɔːdɪəns/ audience
24.28a God grant they find my Lord in better temper.
24.28b God /gɔd/ God grant /grant/ grant-SUBJ they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM find /fəɪnd/ find my /maɪ/ my Lord /lɔːrd/ lord in /ɪn/ in better /bɛtər/ better temper /tɛmpər/ temper
24.29a Else they shall rue the hour they e’er were born.
24.29b Else /ɛls/ else they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM shall /ʃal/ shall-FUT rue /ruː/ regret the /ðə/ the hour /oːr/ hour they /ðeɪ/ they-NOM e’er /ɛːr/ ever were /wɛːr/ were born /bɔːrn/ born
24.30a They that meddle in great men’s affairs dance on the edge of a sword.
24.30b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM that /ðat/ that-REL meddle /mɛdl/ meddle in /ɪn/ in great /grɛːt/ great men’s /mɛnz/ men-GEN affairs /əfɛːrz/ affairs dance /dans/ dance on /ɔn/ on the /ðə/ the edge /ɛdʒ/ edge of /ɔv/ of a /ə/ a sword /swɔːrd/ sword
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24.16 They do quarrel again, the Lord and his Lady. “They’re quarreling again, the Lord and his Lady.”
24.17 Aye, they have been at odds these three days past. “Yes, they’ve been at odds for the past three days.”
24.18 What manner of thing hath set they so at variance? “What sort of thing has put them so at odds?”
24.19 They say ‘tis a matter of the Lady’s kin. “They say it’s a matter concerning the Lady’s relatives.”
24.20 Her brothers—they would have preferment at court. “Her brothers—they want advancement at court.”
24.21 And my Lord, he thinketh they be overreaching knaves. “And my Lord thinks they are grasping rogues.”
24.22 They have borrowed money from him ere this, I warrant. “They have borrowed money from him before now, I’m certain.”
24.23 ‘Tis true—they never did repay what they owed. “It’s true—they never did repay what they owed.”
24.24 Now they clamour for places, as though ‘twere their due. “Now they clamor for positions, as if it were their right.”
24.25 Soft—they come this way. Let us seem busy. “Hush—they’re coming this way. Let’s look busy.”
24.26 Where go they in such haste? “Where are they going in such a hurry?”
24.27 To the great chamber, I think—they seek audience. “To the great chamber, I think—they’re seeking an audience.”
24.28 God grant they find my Lord in better temper. “God grant that they find my Lord in a better mood.”
24.29 Else they shall rue the hour they e’er were born. “Otherwise they will regret the hour they were ever born.”
24.30 They that meddle in great men’s affairs dance on the edge of a sword. “Those who meddle in great men’s affairs walk a dangerous line.”
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24.16 They do quarrel again, the Lord and his Lady.
24.17 Aye, they have been at odds these three days past.
24.18 What manner of thing hath set they so at variance?
24.19 They say ‘tis a matter of the Lady’s kin.
24.20 Her brothers—they would have preferment at court.
24.21 And my Lord, he thinketh they be overreaching knaves.
24.22 They have borrowed money from him ere this, I warrant.
24.23 ‘Tis true—they never did repay what they owed.
24.24 Now they clamour for places, as though ‘twere their due.
24.25 Soft—they come this way. Let us seem busy.
24.26 Where go they in such haste?
24.27 To the great chamber, I think—they seek audience.
24.28 God grant they find my Lord in better temper.
24.29 Else they shall rue the hour they e’er were born.
24.30 They that meddle in great men’s affairs dance on the edge of a sword.
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Pronoun Doubling:
Example 24.20 demonstrates pronoun doubling: “Her brothers—they would have preferment.” This emphatic construction repeats the subject with a pronoun for emphasis, common in Elizabethan dramatic prose and conversation. Similarly, 24.21 shows “my Lord, he thinketh,” where the appositive noun phrase receives pronominal reinforcement.
Subjunctive Mood:
In 24.28, “God grant they find” employs the subjunctive without conjunction: grant (subjunctive) governs the clause “they find” (also subjunctive). This formula for expressing wishes preserves subjunctive forms that modern English has largely abandoned.
Subject-Verb Inversion:
Examples 24.18 and 24.26 show inverted word order: “What manner of thing hath set they” and “Where go they.” The verb precedes the subject in questions without auxiliary “do,” reflecting residual V2 syntax from Middle English.
Contracted Forms:
The dialogue employs period contractions: ‘tis (it is), ‘twere (it were), e’er (ever). These maintain verse rhythms and represent actual speech reduction. Note that e’er /ɛːr/ reduces “ever” to a monosyllable.
Impersonal “They”:
In 24.19, “They say ‘tis a matter” uses they impersonally to mean “people say” or “it is said”—a construction still current in Modern English (”they say it will rain”). This rhetorical they invokes general opinion or rumor without specifying sources.
The Accusative after Prepositions:
While they is properly nominative, example 24.18 shows casual speech where “set they at variance” might be expected as “set them at variance.” Elizabethan conversational register permitted some flexibility in pronoun case, particularly in servant dialogue representing lower-register speech.
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Key Words from This Lesson:
They /ðeɪ/ — voiced dental fricative + diphthong (unchanged from modern)
Action /aksɪən/ — note period suffix /sɪən/ not modern /ʃən/
Fashion /fasɪən/ — again, /sɪən/ suffix preserving older form
Proclamation /prɔklamɛːsɪən/ — full syllabic suffix
Hour /oːr/ — homophonous with “whore” in period pronunciation, enabling puns
Quarrel /kwarəl/ — retained labiovelar /kw/ cluster
Chamber /tʃɛːmbər/ — rhotic with period vowel quality
Great /grɛːt/ — FACE vowel before modern shift
Sword /swɔːrd/ — /w/ still pronounced, fully rhotic
Common Errors to Avoid:
Do not reduce -tion to modern /ʃən/. Pronounce as /sɪən/.
Maintain rhoticity in all positions—never drop final or preconsonantal /r/.
Keep FACE vowels as /ɛː/, not modern /eɪ/.
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The Elizabethan English course follows the Latinum Institute methodology, developed over two decades of creating autodidactic language materials. Since 2006, Latinum has produced comprehensive courses in Latin, Greek, and numerous modern languages, all employing the interlinear construed text approach that allows self-directed learners to acquire languages without classroom instruction.
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The construed text method—presenting target language with word-by-word glossing—accelerates comprehension by allowing learners to process meaning immediately rather than puzzling over syntax. Each sentence becomes a self-contained lesson, its structure transparent through the interlinear apparatus.
For Elizabethan English, this approach addresses the particular challenge facing modern readers: Shakespeare’s language is close enough to our own to seem familiar, yet distant enough to mislead. The construed text method exposes the actual grammar and pronunciation of Early Modern English, revealing the linguistic system beneath the surface familiarity.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
This 1000-word frequency curriculum progresses from the most common words to less frequent vocabulary, ensuring that learners encounter the building blocks of the language before specialized terms. Each lesson presents one word through thirty examples, providing sufficient exposure for retention while introducing varied syntactic contexts.
Original Pronunciation (OP) guidance throughout the course reflects current scholarly consensus on Early Modern English phonology, drawing on the research of David Crystal, Helge Kökeritz, and performance practice at Shakespeare’s Globe. By learning period pronunciation, students access wordplay, rhymes, and puns that disappear in modern delivery.
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✓ Lesson 024 Elizabethan English complete
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