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What does “my” mean in Elizabethan English?
The possessive pronoun my in Elizabethan English functions identically to Modern English, indicating first-person singular possession. However, Early Modern English possessed a richer pronominal system, with my serving alongside the alternate form mine in specific phonetic environments. Before words beginning with vowels or the letter h, Elizabethan speakers frequently employed mine rather than my (e.g., mine eyes, mine honour), a distinction largely lost in contemporary usage.
This lesson presents my in authentic Elizabethan constructions, demonstrating its usage across formal and informal registers, in verse and prose, and within the complex social dynamics of Early Modern speech. The interlinear format reveals word-by-word structure while IPA transcriptions reflect period pronunciation norms, including such distinctive features as the /tiən/ pronunciation of the -tion suffix (not modern /ʃən/) and the fuller articulation of initial consonant clusters.
Key Takeaways: -
My and mine were both possessive forms in Elizabethan English, with phonetic distribution rules -
Period pronunciation retained fuller vowel qualities due to the ongoing Great Vowel Shift -
The -tion suffix was pronounced /tiən/ or /siən/, not modern /ʃən/ -
Initial clusters like kn-, gn-, wr- were still audibly pronounced -
Elizabethan possessives functioned within the thou/thee (familiar) and you/ye (formal) system
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Period Pronunciation Conventions (Original Pronunciation / OP):
The IPA transcriptions in this lesson reflect Early Modern English pronunciation circa 1590-1620, the Shakespearean period. Key features include:
The suffix -tion was pronounced /tiən/ or /siən/, sounding like “tee-on” or “see-on,” not the modern “shun” (/ʃən/). Thus affection would sound like /əˈfektiən/.
Long vowels retained more continental qualities. The word my was pronounced /maɪ/, though the diphthong had a more centralized onset /məɪ/ in some speakers.
Initial consonant clusters were articulated: knight as /kniːt/, know as /knoː/, write as /wriːt/.
The letter r was pronounced in all positions (rhotic speech).
The BATH vowel remained /a/ rather than southern British /ɑː/.
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35.1a My heart doth ache with grievous sorrow.
35.1b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG heart /haːrt/ heart-NOM doth /dʌθ/ does-3SG.PRES ache /eːk/ ache-INF with /wɪθ/ with-PREP grievous /ˈgriːviəs/ grievous-ADJ sorrow /ˈsɔroː/ sorrow-NOM
35.2a My lord, I beseech thee grant me audience.
35.2b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG lord /loːrd/ lord-VOC I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG beseech /bɪˈsiːtʃ/ beseech-1SG.PRES thee /ðiː/ thee-ACC.2SG.FAM grant /grant/ grant-INF me /miː/ me-DAT.1SG audience /ˈaːdiəns/ audience-ACC
35.3a The affection of my soul is thine.
35.3b The /ðə/ the-DEF affection /əˈfektiən/ affection-NOM of /ɔf/ of-PREP my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG soul /soːl/ soul-GEN is /ɪz/ is-3SG.PRES thine /ðaɪn/ thine-POSS.2SG.FAM
35.4a My father’s condition doth worsen daily.
35.4b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG father’s /ˈfaːðərz/ father-GEN condition /kənˈdɪtiən/ condition-NOM doth /dʌθ/ does-3SG.PRES worsen /ˈwɜrsən/ worsen-INF daily /ˈdeːli/ daily-ADV
35.5a I know not my own intention.
35.5b I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG know /knoː/ know-1SG.PRES not /nɔt/ not-NEG my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG own /oːn/ own-ADJ intention /ɪnˈtensiən/ intention-ACC
35.6a My dearest love, wherefore dost thou weep?
35.6b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG dearest /ˈdɪːrəst/ dearest-ADJ.SUP love /lʌv/ love-VOC wherefore /ˈʍeːrfɔːr/ wherefore-ADV dost /dʌst/ do-2SG.FAM.PRES thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM.2SG.FAM weep /wiːp/ weep-INF
35.7a The contemplation of my wrongs torments me.
35.7b The /ðə/ the-DEF contemplation /ˌkɔntəmˈpleːtiən/ contemplation-NOM of /ɔf/ of-PREP my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG wrongs /rɔŋz/ wrong-GEN.PL torments /tɔːrˈments/ torment-3SG.PRES me /miː/ me-ACC.1SG
35.8a My lady’s reputation suffers much.
35.8b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG lady’s /ˈleːdiz/ lady-GEN reputation /ˌrepjuˈteːtiən/ reputation-NOM suffers /ˈsʌfərz/ suffer-3SG.PRES much /mʌtʃ/ much-ADV
35.9a Write my confession ere the morning come.
35.9b Write /wriːt/ write-IMP.2SG my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG confession /kənˈfesiən/ confession-ACC ere /eːr/ ere-CONJ the /ðə/ the-DEF morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ morning-NOM come /kʌm/ come-SUBJ.3SG
35.10a What hath my transgression wrought upon this house?
35.10b What /ʍat/ what-INTERR hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG transgression /tranzˈgresiən/ transgression-NOM wrought /raʊt/ wrought-PTCP.PAST upon /əˈpɔn/ upon-PREP this /ðɪs/ this-DEM house /haʊs/ house-ACC
35.11a My honour shall not suffer such accusation.
35.11b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG honour /ˈɔnər/ honour-NOM shall /ʃal/ shall-1SG.FUT not /nɔt/ not-NEG suffer /ˈsʌfər/ suffer-INF such /sʌtʃ/ such-DEM accusation /ˌakjuˈzeːtiən/ accusation-ACC
35.12a I shall defend my nation against all enemies.
35.12b I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG shall /ʃal/ shall-1SG.FUT defend /dɪˈfend/ defend-INF my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG nation /ˈneːtiən/ nation-ACC against /əˈgenst/ against-PREP all /aːl/ all-DET enemies /ˈenəmiz/ enemy-ACC.PL
35.13a My salvation dependeth upon God’s mercy alone.
35.13b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG salvation /salˈveːtiən/ salvation-NOM dependeth /dɪˈpendəθ/ depend-3SG.PRES upon /əˈpɔn/ upon-PREP God’s /gɔdz/ God-GEN mercy /ˈmɜrsi/ mercy-ACC alone /əˈloːn/ alone-ADV
35.14a My devotion to your grace admits no question.
35.14b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG devotion /dɪˈvoːtiən/ devotion-NOM to /tuː/ to-PREP your /jʊːr/ your-POSS.2SG.FORM grace /greːs/ grace-DAT admits /ədˈmɪts/ admit-3SG.PRES no /noː/ no-DET question /ˈkwestiən/ question-ACC
35.15a Hear my lamentation, O heavens above.
35.15b Hear /hiːr/ hear-IMP.2PL my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG lamentation /ˌlamənˈteːtiən/ lamentation-ACC O /oː/ O-INTERJ heavens /ˈhevənz/ heaven-VOC.PL above /əˈbʌv/ above-ADV
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35.1 My heart doth ache with grievous sorrow. “My heart aches with terrible grief.”
35.2 My lord, I beseech thee grant me audience. “My lord, I beg you to grant me a hearing.”
35.3 The affection of my soul is thine. “The love of my soul belongs to you.”
35.4 My father’s condition doth worsen daily. “My father’s condition grows worse each day.”
35.5 I know not my own intention. “I do not know my own purpose.”
35.6 My dearest love, wherefore dost thou weep? “My dearest love, why do you cry?”
35.7 The contemplation of my wrongs torments me. “Thinking about my sins tortures me.”
35.8 My lady’s reputation suffers much. “My lady’s good name suffers greatly.”
35.9 Write my confession ere the morning come. “Write down my confession before morning arrives.”
35.10 What hath my transgression wrought upon this house? “What has my sin brought upon this household?”
35.11 My honour shall not suffer such accusation. “My honour shall not endure such a charge.”
35.12 I shall defend my nation against all enemies. “I will defend my country against all foes.”
35.13 My salvation dependeth upon God’s mercy alone. “My salvation depends on God’s mercy alone.”
35.14 My devotion to your grace admits no question. “My loyalty to your lordship allows no doubt.”
35.15 Hear my lamentation, O heavens above. “Hear my mourning, O heavens above.”
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35.1 My heart doth ache with grievous sorrow.
35.2 My lord, I beseech thee grant me audience.
35.3 The affection of my soul is thine.
35.4 My father’s condition doth worsen daily.
35.5 I know not my own intention.
35.6 My dearest love, wherefore dost thou weep?
35.7 The contemplation of my wrongs torments me.
35.8 My lady’s reputation suffers much.
35.9 Write my confession ere the morning come.
35.10 What hath my transgression wrought upon this house?
35.11 My honour shall not suffer such accusation.
35.12 I shall defend my nation against all enemies.
35.13 My salvation dependeth upon God’s mercy alone.
35.14 My devotion to your grace admits no question.
35.15 Hear my lamentation, O heavens above.
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These are the grammar rules for “my” in Elizabethan English:
The Possessive System
Elizabethan English maintained a dual system for the first person singular possessive, employing both my and mine according to phonetic environment. The form my appeared before consonant-initial words, while mine preceded vowels and frequently preceded h-initial words: my heart but mine eyes, my son but mine honour. This distinction paralleled the indefinite article alternation (a versus an) and reflected natural speech rhythm rather than grammatical rule.
The Thou/You Distinction
The possessive my existed within a complex pronominal system distinguishing familiar address (thou/thee/thy/thine) from formal or plural address (you/ye/your/yours). When the speaker used my to indicate personal possession, the addressee might be referenced as either thou (intimate, inferior, or contemptuous) or you (respectful, distant, or plural). This created nuanced social dynamics: a nobleman might speak of my servant to one he addressed as thou, while referring to my lady when addressing one as you.
Verb Agreement with “My” Constructions
Third person singular verbs accompanying my + noun constructions employed the distinctive Elizabethan endings: -eth (older, more formal) or -es/-s (newer, becoming standard). Thus: my heart doth ache or my heart aches; my father sleepeth or my father sleeps. The auxiliary doth (/dʌθ/) frequently preceded main verbs for emphasis or metrical purposes.
The Possessive in Questions
Interrogative constructions placed my within inverted structures using doth, hath, shall, and other auxiliaries: Doth my presence offend? and What hath my folly done? The possessive remained uninflected regardless of syntactic position.
Period Pronunciation Features
The pronunciation of my itself was /maɪ/, close to modern pronunciation, though speakers variably realized it with a more centralized onset /məɪ/. In unstressed positions, reduction to /mɪ/ occurred, as in rapid speech today.
Crucially, the -tion suffix in words like affection, devotion, salvation, and nation was pronounced /tiən/ or /siən/ rather than modern /ʃən/. This creates distinctive rhyme and meter possibilities in period verse. Shakespeare rhymes nation with fashion (both ending /siən/), a rhyme that fails in modern pronunciation.
Common Mistakes
Using mine incorrectly: Reserve mine for positions before vowels (mine eyes) or as a predicate possessive (the fault is mine). Do not say mine book or mine father.
Mixing thou/you forms: Maintain consistency in address. If using my with familiar thou, continue with thee, thy, and thine throughout.
Modern -tion pronunciation: Remember that words ending in -tion and -sion sounded like “tee-on” and “see-on,” affecting both pronunciation and the metrical weight of lines.
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Social Hierarchy and Possession
Elizabethan expressions of possession reflected a deeply hierarchical society. To speak of my lord or my lady indicated not merely address but acknowledged social relationship—one’s patron, employer, or feudal superior. The phrase my liege bound speaker to sovereign in chains of loyalty and obligation. Conversely, my servant, my man, or my fool established the speaker’s authority over another.
Religious Language
In religious discourse, my took on profound theological weight. My God, my Saviour, my salvation expressed not possession but intimate spiritual relationship. The translation debates surrounding the 1611 King James Bible carefully considered such possessives, maintaining the personal connection between believer and deity that Protestant theology emphasized.
The Theatre and Emotional Expression
Shakespeare and his contemporaries exploited the possessive my for emotional intensity. Soliloquies abound with first-person possession marking psychological interiority: my heart, my soul, my conscience, my thoughts. The reiteration of my in passionate speech signaled the speaker’s engulfment by feeling, as when Hamlet speaks of my father’s spirit or Othello of my wife.
Legal and Documentary Usage
In legal contexts, my formalized ownership and testamentary intent: my lands, my goods, my body, my last will. Elizabethan wills invariably began with formulae establishing the testator’s identity and relationship to property: I bequeath unto my son, I give to my wife.
Regional Variation
While Standard London English followed the my/mine distribution described above, regional dialects retained older patterns. Northern and Scottish speakers might use my more broadly, while some western dialects preserved archaic min forms. The theatre employed such variations to mark characters’ social and geographical origins.
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Source: William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene ii (c. 1600)
O /oː/ O-INTERJ that /ðat/ that-CONJ this /ðɪs/ this-DEM too /tuː/ too-ADV too /tuː/ too-ADV solid /ˈsɔlɪd/ solid-ADJ flesh /fleʃ/ flesh-NOM would /wʊd/ would-MODAL melt /melt/ melt-INF thaw /θaː/ thaw-INF and /and/ and-CONJ resolve /rɪˈzɔlv/ resolve-INF itself /ɪtˈself/ itself-REFL into /ˈɪntuː/ into-PREP a /ə/ a-INDEF dew /djuː/ dew-ACC
Or /ɔːr/ or-CONJ that /ðat/ that-CONJ the /ðə/ the-DEF Everlasting /ˌevərˈlastɪŋ/ Everlasting-ADJ had /had/ have-PAST.3SG not /nɔt/ not-NEG fixed /fɪkst/ fix-PTCP.PAST his /hɪz/ his-POSS.3SG.M canon /ˈkanən/ canon-ACC ‘gainst /genst/ against-PREP self-slaughter /ˈselfˈslaːtər/ self.slaughter-ACC
O /oː/ O-INTERJ God /gɔd/ God-VOC God /gɔd/ God-VOC how /haʊ/ how-ADV weary /ˈwiːri/ weary-ADJ stale /steːl/ stale-ADJ flat /flat/ flat-ADJ and /and/ and-CONJ unprofitable /ʌnˈprɔfɪtəbl/ unprofitable-ADJ seem /siːm/ seem-3PL.PRES to /tuː/ to-PREP me /miː/ me-DAT.1SG all /aːl/ all-DET the /ðə/ the-DEF uses /ˈjuːzɪz/ use-NOM.PL of /ɔf/ of-PREP this /ðɪs/ this-DEM world /wɜːrld/ world-GEN
Fie /faɪ/ fie-INTERJ on’t /ɔnt/ on.it-PREP.PRO O /oː/ O-INTERJ fie /faɪ/ fie-INTERJ ‘tis /tɪz/ it.is-3SG an /ən/ an-INDEF unweeded /ʌnˈwiːdɪd/ unweeded-ADJ garden /ˈgaːrdən/ garden-NOM that /ðat/ that-REL grows /groːz/ grow-3SG.PRES to /tuː/ to-PREP seed /siːd/ seed-ACC things /θɪŋz/ thing-NOM.PL rank /raŋk/ rank-ADJ and /and/ and-CONJ gross /groːs/ gross-ADJ in /ɪn/ in-PREP nature /ˈneːtjʊr/ nature-ACC possess /pəˈzes/ possess-3PL.PRES it /ɪt/ it-ACC merely /ˈmiːrli/ merely-ADV
That /ðat/ that-CONJ it /ɪt/ it-NOM should /ʃʊd/ should-MODAL come /kʌm/ come-INF to /tuː/ to-PREP this /ðɪs/ this-DEM but /bʌt/ but-CONJ two /tuː/ two-NUM months /mʌnθs/ month-ACC.PL dead /ded/ dead-ADJ nay /neɪ/ nay-ADV not /nɔt/ not-NEG so /soː/ so-ADV much /mʌtʃ/ much-ADV not /nɔt/ not-NEG two /tuː/ two-NUM
So /soː/ so-ADV excellent /ˈeksələnt/ excellent-ADJ a /ə/ a-INDEF king /kɪŋ/ king-NOM that /ðat/ that-REL was /wɔz/ be-PAST.3SG to /tuː/ to-PREP this /ðɪs/ this-DEM Hyperion /haɪˈpɪːriən/ Hyperion-NOM to /tuː/ to-PREP a /ə/ a-INDEF satyr /ˈseɪtər/ satyr-ACC so /soː/ so-ADV loving /ˈlʌvɪŋ/ loving-ADJ to /tuː/ to-PREP my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG mother /ˈmʌðər/ mother-ACC
O that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter. O God, God, How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world. Fie on’t, O fie, ‘tis an unweeded garden That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely. That it should come to this— But two months dead, nay, not so much, not two— So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother.
“Oh, if only this overly solid flesh would melt away, dissolve and turn into dew, or if the Eternal One had not established his law against suicide. O God, God, how tiresome, boring, dull, and worthless all the activities of this world seem to me. Curse it, oh curse it, it is an untended garden that has gone to seed; foul and disgusting things completely possess it. That things should have come to this point—only two months dead, no, not even that much, not two—such an excellent king, who was compared to this one as the sun god is to a goat-creature, so loving to my mother.”
O that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter. O God, God, How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world. Fie on’t, O fie, ‘tis an unweeded garden That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely. That it should come to this— But two months dead, nay, not so much, not two— So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother.
This soliloquy opens Hamlet‘s interior world to the audience. The possessive my mother appears climactically, connecting the abstract grief to the intimate personal relationship that torments Hamlet throughout the play.
Note the period pronunciation of nature as /ˈneːtjʊr/, preserving the /tj/ cluster that would later palatalize to /tʃ/ in modern “nature.” Similarly, Hyperion maintains four syllables /haɪˈpɪːriən/ for metrical purposes.
The verb seem takes plural form agreeing with uses, demonstrating the Elizabethan tendency toward notional agreement (the sense of plurality in “all the uses”).
The phrase ‘gainst self-slaughter shows aphesis (dropping the initial vowel of against) common in verse to maintain meter, and the compound self-slaughter exemplifies Shakespeare’s prolific word-coinage.
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Two characters: A young nobleman (EDMUND) and a priest (FATHER AMBROSE) in a private chamber, 1595.
35.16a FATHER AMBROSE: What troubles my son upon this holy evening?
35.16b What /ʍat/ what-INTERR troubles /ˈtrʌblz/ trouble-3SG.PRES my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG son /sʌn/ son-ACC upon /əˈpɔn/ upon-PREP this /ðɪs/ this-DEM holy /ˈhoːli/ holy-ADJ evening /ˈiːvnɪŋ/ evening-ACC
35.17a EDMUND: Father, my confession is heavy with transgression.
35.17b Father /ˈfaːðər/ father-VOC my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG confession /kənˈfesiən/ confession-NOM is /ɪz/ is-3SG.PRES heavy /ˈhevi/ heavy-ADJ with /wɪθ/ with-PREP transgression /tranzˈgresiən/ transgression-ACC
35.18a FATHER AMBROSE: Unburden my hearing with thy sins, that I may judge their weight.
35.18b Unburden /ʌnˈbɜrdən/ unburden-IMP.2SG my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG hearing /ˈhiːrɪŋ/ hearing-ACC with /wɪθ/ with-PREP thy /ðaɪ/ thy-POSS.2SG.FAM sins /sɪnz/ sin-ACC.PL that /ðat/ that-CONJ I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG may /meɪ/ may-MODAL judge /dʒʌdʒ/ judge-INF their /ðeːr/ their-POSS.3PL weight /weɪt/ weight-ACC
35.19a EDMUND: My heart hath known forbidden devotion to a lady not my wife.
35.19b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG heart /haːrt/ heart-NOM hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES known /knoːn/ know-PTCP.PAST forbidden /fərˈbɪdən/ forbidden-ADJ devotion /dɪˈvoːtiən/ devotion-ACC to /tuː/ to-PREP a /ə/ a-INDEF lady /ˈleːdi/ lady-ACC not /nɔt/ not-NEG my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG wife /waɪf/ wife-NOM
35.20a FATHER AMBROSE: My instruction hath been clear upon such temptation.
35.20b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG instruction /ɪnˈstrʌktiən/ instruction-NOM hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES been /biːn/ be-PTCP.PAST clear /kliːr/ clear-ADJ upon /əˈpɔn/ upon-PREP such /sʌtʃ/ such-DEM temptation /tempˈteːtiən/ temptation-ACC
35.21a EDMUND: The foundation of my resolution crumbled before her beauty.
35.21b The /ðə/ the-DEF foundation /faʊnˈdeːtiən/ foundation-NOM of /ɔf/ of-PREP my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG resolution /ˌrezəˈluːtiən/ resolution-GEN crumbled /ˈkrʌmbld/ crumble-PAST.3SG before /bɪˈfɔːr/ before-PREP her /hɜːr/ her-POSS.3SG.F beauty /ˈbjuːti/ beauty-ACC
35.22a My examination of conscience brings naught but shame.
35.22b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG examination /ɪgˌzamɪˈneːtiən/ examination-NOM of /ɔf/ of-PREP conscience /ˈkɔnsiəns/ conscience-GEN brings /brɪŋz/ bring-3SG.PRES naught /naːt/ naught-ACC but /bʌt/ but-PREP shame /ʃeːm/ shame-ACC
35.23a FATHER AMBROSE: And what of my previous admonition regarding such passion?
35.23b And /and/ and-CONJ what /ʍat/ what-INTERR of /ɔf/ of-PREP my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG previous /ˈpriːviəs/ previous-ADJ admonition /ˌadmɔˈnɪtiən/ admonition-GEN regarding /rɪˈgaːrdɪŋ/ regarding-PREP such /sʌtʃ/ such-DEM passion /ˈpaʃən/ passion-ACC
35.24a EDMUND: I heeded not my counsellor’s words, to my eternal perdition.
35.24b I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG heeded /ˈhiːdɪd/ heed-PAST.1SG not /nɔt/ not-NEG my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG counsellor’s /ˈkaʊnsələrz/ counsellor-GEN words /wɜːrdz/ word-ACC.PL to /tuː/ to-PREP my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG eternal /ɪˈtɜːrnəl/ eternal-ADJ perdition /pərˈdɪtiən/ perdition-DAT
35.25a FATHER AMBROSE: My obligation compels harsh penance for such violation.
35.25b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG obligation /ˌɔblɪˈgeːtiən/ obligation-NOM compels /kəmˈpelz/ compel-3SG.PRES harsh /haːrʃ/ harsh-ADJ penance /ˈpenəns/ penance-ACC for /fɔːr/ for-PREP such /sʌtʃ/ such-DEM violation /ˌvaɪəˈleːtiən/ violation-ACC
35.26a EDMUND: I accept my tribulation as just correction from above.
35.26b I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG accept /əkˈsept/ accept-1SG.PRES my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG tribulation /ˌtrɪbjuˈleːtiən/ tribulation-ACC as /az/ as-PREP just /dʒʌst/ just-ADJ correction /kəˈrektiən/ correction-ACC from /frɔm/ from-PREP above /əˈbʌv/ above-ADV
35.27a My supplication is for merciful absolution, if such may be granted.
35.27b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG supplication /ˌsʌplɪˈkeːtiən/ supplication-NOM is /ɪz/ is-3SG.PRES for /fɔːr/ for-PREP merciful /ˈmɜːrsɪfʊl/ merciful-ADJ absolution /ˌabsəˈluːtiən/ absolution-ACC if /ɪf/ if-CONJ such /sʌtʃ/ such-PRO may /meɪ/ may-MODAL be /biː/ be-INF granted /ˈgrantɪd/ grant-PTCP.PAST
35.28a FATHER AMBROSE: The expectation of my office demands contrition before absolution.
35.28b The /ðə/ the-DEF expectation /ˌekspekˈteːtiən/ expectation-NOM of /ɔf/ of-PREP my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG office /ˈɔfɪs/ office-GEN demands /dɪˈmandz/ demand-3SG.PRES contrition /kənˈtrɪtiən/ contrition-ACC before /bɪˈfɔːr/ before-PREP absolution /ˌabsəˈluːtiən/ absolution-ACC
35.29a EDMUND: My repentance is complete; my determination to sin no more is fixed.
35.29b My /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG repentance /rɪˈpentəns/ repentance-NOM is /ɪz/ is-3SG.PRES complete /kəmˈpliːt/ complete-ADJ my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG determination /dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneːtiən/ determination-NOM to /tuː/ to-PREP sin /sɪn/ sin-INF no /noː/ no-DET more /moːr/ more-ADV is /ɪz/ is-3SG.PRES fixed /fɪkst/ fixed-ADJ
35.30a FATHER AMBROSE: Then my benediction falls upon thee; go and transgress no further.
35.30b Then /ðen/ then-ADV my /maɪ/ my-POSS.1SG benediction /ˌbenɪˈdɪktiən/ benediction-NOM falls /faːlz/ fall-3SG.PRES upon /əˈpɔn/ upon-PREP thee /ðiː/ thee-ACC.2SG.FAM go /goː/ go-IMP.2SG and /and/ and-CONJ transgress /tranzˈgres/ transgress-IMP.2SG no /noː/ no-DET further /ˈfɜːrðər/ further-ADV
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35.16 FATHER AMBROSE: What troubles my son upon this holy evening? “What is troubling my spiritual child on this sacred night?”
35.17 EDMUND: Father, my confession is heavy with transgression. “Father, my confession is weighed down with sin.”
35.18 FATHER AMBROSE: Unburden my hearing with thy sins, that I may judge their weight. “Release your sins into my ears, so that I may assess their gravity.”
35.19 EDMUND: My heart hath known forbidden devotion to a lady not my wife. “My heart has experienced unlawful love for a woman who is not my wife.”
35.20 FATHER AMBROSE: My instruction hath been clear upon such temptation. “My teaching has been explicit regarding such enticements.”
35.21 EDMUND: The foundation of my resolution crumbled before her beauty. “The basis of my willpower collapsed when faced with her beauty.”
35.22 EDMUND: My examination of conscience brings naught but shame. “My soul-searching produces nothing but disgrace.”
35.23 FATHER AMBROSE: And what of my previous admonition regarding such passion? “And what about my earlier warning concerning such desire?”
35.24 EDMUND: I heeded not my counsellor’s words, to my eternal perdition. “I did not heed my adviser’s words, to my everlasting damnation.”
35.25 FATHER AMBROSE: My obligation compels harsh penance for such violation. “My duty requires severe atonement for such a breach.”
35.26 EDMUND: I accept my tribulation as just correction from above. “I accept my suffering as righteous punishment from heaven.”
35.27 EDMUND: My supplication is for merciful absolution, if such may be granted. “My prayer is for compassionate forgiveness, if that can be given.”
35.28 FATHER AMBROSE: The expectation of my office demands contrition before absolution. “The requirements of my position require remorse before forgiveness.”
35.29 EDMUND: My repentance is complete; my determination to sin no more is fixed. “My remorse is total; my resolve to stop sinning is firm.”
35.30 FATHER AMBROSE: Then my benediction falls upon thee; go and transgress no further. “Then my blessing rests upon you; depart and sin no more.”
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35.16 FATHER AMBROSE: What troubles my son upon this holy evening?
35.17 EDMUND: Father, my confession is heavy with transgression.
35.18 FATHER AMBROSE: Unburden my hearing with thy sins, that I may judge their weight.
35.19 EDMUND: My heart hath known forbidden devotion to a lady not my wife.
35.20 FATHER AMBROSE: My instruction hath been clear upon such temptation.
35.21 EDMUND: The foundation of my resolution crumbled before her beauty.
35.22 My examination of conscience brings naught but shame.
35.23 FATHER AMBROSE: And what of my previous admonition regarding such passion?
35.24 EDMUND: I heeded not my counsellor’s words, to my eternal perdition.
35.25 FATHER AMBROSE: My obligation compels harsh penance for such violation.
35.26 EDMUND: I accept my tribulation as just correction from above.
35.27 My supplication is for merciful absolution, if such may be granted.
35.28 FATHER AMBROSE: The expectation of my office demands contrition before absolution.
35.29 EDMUND: My repentance is complete; my determination to sin no more is fixed.
35.30 FATHER AMBROSE: Then my benediction falls upon thee; go and transgress no further.
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Density of -tion Words in Religious Register
This dialogue demonstrates the remarkable frequency of -tion suffix words in Elizabethan religious and formal discourse: confession, transgression, devotion, instruction, temptation, foundation, resolution, examination, admonition, perdition, obligation, violation, tribulation, supplication, absolution, expectation, contrition, determination, benediction.
Each of these words was pronounced with /tiən/ or /siən/, creating a distinctive sonic texture quite different from modern English. This Latinate vocabulary, entering English through ecclesiastical and legal channels, marked elevated register and formal discourse.
The Confessional “My”
Note how both speakers use my to establish ownership of abstract spiritual states: my confession, my hearing, my heart, my instruction, my resolution, my examination, my counsellor, my obligation, my tribulation, my supplication, my office, my repentance, my determination, my benediction. This pattern of first-person possession before abstract nouns typifies Elizabethan prose style, particularly in religious contexts.
Thou/You in Hierarchical Address
The priest addresses Edmund with the familiar thee and thy, appropriate for spiritual guidance and marking the confessional relationship. Edmund responds with respectful deference, using I for himself but accepting the priest’s familiar address as befitting his subordinate position in the spiritual hierarchy.
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This lesson forms part of the Elizabethan English series produced by the Latinum Institute, creating language learning materials since 2006. Our methodology emphasizes the interlinear construed text approach pioneered by autodidact scholars, enabling learners to acquire linguistic structures through systematic parallel presentation rather than rote memorization.
The Latinum Institute’s philosophy holds that historical language variants deserve the same rigorous pedagogical treatment as modern standard languages. By presenting Elizabethan English with full IPA transcription reflecting period pronunciation norms, we enable learners to access Shakespeare, the King James Bible, and Early Modern literature with authentic phonological awareness.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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The construed text format allows learners to: -
See each word’s meaning without breaking reading flow -
Understand grammatical relationships through abbreviations -
Develop intuitive feel for period syntax -
Hear authentic pronunciation through IPA guidance
This approach accelerates comprehension for the independent learner, making even complex historical texts accessible to dedicated students.
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✓ Lesson 035 Elizabethan English complete
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