Welcome to Lesson 38 of the Elizabethan English course. This lesson focuses on there, the thirty-eighth word in our frequency-ranked curriculum. In Early Modern English (EME), “there” functions both as a locative adverb indicating place and as an existential marker introducing statements of existence—uses that have persisted into modern English but with distinct pronunciation and sometimes divergent syntactic patterns.
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FAQ: What does “there” mean in Elizabethan English?
In Shakespeare’s English, “there” (pronounced /ðɛːɹ/ with a fully rhotic /r/ and a more open vowel than modern RP) carries two primary functions: (1) indicating a physical location, as in “Stand there, good fellow”; and (2) serving as an existential marker, as in “There is a tide in the affairs of men.” The word participates in numerous idiomatic expressions and appears in both verse and prose with distinctive period collocations.
This lesson will examine fifteen examples demonstrating “there” in varied grammatical positions, followed by a dramatic dialogue section with fifteen additional examples showcasing the word in authentic theatrical contexts.
Educational Note: This material serves autodidact learners following the Latinum Institute methodology of interlinear glossing and construed text for historical English acquisition.
Key Takeaways: -
EME “there” was pronounced /ðɛːɹ/ with full rhoticity and an open vowel -
The existential construction “there is/are” was fully established by 1600 -
Period spelling variants include “ther,” “thear,” and “theare” -
“There” participates in oath formulas, locative phrases, and theatrical directions -
Understanding period pronunciation reveals rhymes lost in modern English
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Original Pronunciation (OP) Features:
This course employs the reconstruction of Early Modern English pronunciation developed by David Crystal and other historical phonologists. Key features include:
Rhoticity: All /r/ sounds are fully pronounced, including after vowels. “There” sounds closer to modern American or West Country English than to Received Pronunciation.
Vowel Quality: The vowel in “there” was more open than in modern English, approximately /ɛː/ rather than /eə/. This creates rhyme possibilities with words modern speakers would not expect.
The -tion/-sion Suffixes: Critically, endings spelled “-tion” and “-sion” were pronounced /sɪən/ or /tjʊn/, not modern /ʃən/. Thus “invention” had four syllables: /ɪn.vɛn.sɪ.ən/.
IPA Conventions Used: -
/ð/ — voiced dental fricative (as in modern “the”) -
/ɛː/ — open-mid front vowel, lengthened -
/ɹ/ — post-alveolar approximant (rhotic r) -
/θ/ — voiceless dental fricative (as in “think”) -
/ə/ — schwa (unstressed neutral vowel)
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38.1a There stands the castle upon yonder hill. 38.1b There /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place stands /standz/ rises the /ðə/ DEF.ART castle /ˈkas.l̩/ fortress upon /ə.ˈpɔn/ atop yonder /ˈjɔn.dəɹ/ that-distant hill /hɪl/ elevation
38.2a There is no remedy for love but to love more. 38.2b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST is /ɪz/ exists no /noː/ not-any remedy /ˈɹɛ.mə.diː/ cure for /fɔːɹ/ against love /lʊv/ affection but /bʊt/ except to /tuː/ INF love /lʊv/ cherish more /moːɹ/ greater-in-degree
38.3a Stand there and mark how the procession passeth. 38.3b Stand /stand/ remain there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place and /and/ CONJ mark /maːɹk/ observe how /haʊ/ in-what-manner the /ðə/ DEF.ART procession /pɹo.ˈsɛ.sɪ.ən/ ceremonial-march passeth /ˈpa.səθ/ goes-3SG
38.4a There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 38.4b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST shall /ʃal/ FUT.AUX be /biː/ occur weeping /ˈwiː.pɪŋ/ lamentation and /and/ CONJ gnashing /ˈnaʃ.ɪŋ/ grinding of /ɔv/ GEN teeth /tiːθ/ dentition
38.5a I will meet thee there at the stroke of midnight. 38.5b I /aɪ/ 1SG.NOM will /wɪl/ FUT.AUX meet /miːt/ encounter thee /ðiː/ 2SG.OBJ.FAMILIAR there /ðɛːɹ/ at-that-place at /at/ PREP the /ðə/ DEF.ART stroke /stɹoːk/ sounding of /ɔv/ GEN midnight /ˈmɪd.naɪt/ twelve-o’clock
38.6a There was a man in former times called Priam. 38.6b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST was /wɔz/ existed-PAST a /ə/ INDEF.ART man /man/ male-person in /ɪn/ during former /ˈfɔːɹ.məɹ/ earlier times /taɪmz/ ages called /kɔːld/ named Priam /ˈpɹaɪ.əm/ PROPER.NAME
38.7a What devil’s there? Show thyself, thou coward! 38.7b What /ʍat/ which devil’s /ˈdɛ.vl̩z/ demon-GEN there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place? Show /ʃoː/ reveal thyself /ðaɪ.ˈsɛlf/ 2SG.REFL.FAMILIAR thou /ðaʊ/ 2SG.NOM.FAMILIAR coward /ˈkaʊ.əɹd/ craven-one
38.8a There lieth the serpent beneath the innocent flower. 38.8b There /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-location lieth /ˈlaɪ.əθ/ reclines-3SG the /ðə/ DEF.ART serpent /ˈsɛɹ.pənt/ snake beneath /bɪ.ˈniːθ/ under the /ðə/ DEF.ART innocent /ˈɪ.nə.sənt/ guileless flower /flaʊ.əɹ/ blossom
38.9a Is there no pity sitting in the clouds? 38.9b Is /ɪz/ COP.3SG there /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST no /noː/ not-any pity /ˈpɪ.tiː/ compassion sitting /ˈsɪ.tɪŋ/ dwelling in /ɪn/ within the /ðə/ DEF.ART clouds /klaʊdz/ heavens
38.10a There shall thy wages be, and there thy bed. 38.10b There /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place shall /ʃal/ FUT.AUX thy /ðaɪ/ 2SG.POSS.FAMILIAR wages /ˈweɪ.dʒɪz/ payment be /biː/ exist and /and/ CONJ there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place thy /ðaɪ/ 2SG.POSS.FAMILIAR bed /bɛd/ sleeping-place
38.11a Who goes there? Stand and unfold yourself! 38.11b Who /huː/ which-person goes /goːz/ travels there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place? Stand /stand/ halt and /and/ CONJ unfold /ʊn.ˈfoːld/ reveal yourself /jɔːɹ.ˈsɛlf/ 2SG.REFL
38.12a There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio. 38.12b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST are /aːɹ/ exist-PL more /moːɹ/ additional things /θɪŋz/ entities in /ɪn/ within heaven /ˈhɛ.vən/ celestial-realm and /and/ CONJ earth /ɛːɹθ/ terrestrial-world Horatio /hɔ.ˈɹeɪ.ʃɪ.oː/ PROPER.NAME
38.13a Look there, where the traitor cometh with his rabble. 38.13b Look /lʊk/ behold there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-direction where /ʍɛːɹ/ at-which-place the /ðə/ DEF.ART traitor /ˈtɹeɪ.təɹ/ betrayer cometh /ˈkʊ.məθ/ approaches-3SG with /wɪð/ accompanied-by his /hɪz/ 3SG.MASC.POSS rabble /ˈɹa.bl̩/ mob
38.14a Let him be brought there before the judge’s seat. 38.14b Let /lɛt/ permit him /hɪm/ 3SG.MASC.OBJ be /biː/ AUX.PASS brought /bɹɔːt/ conveyed there /ðɛːɹ/ to-that-place before /bɪ.ˈfoːɹ/ in-front-of the /ðə/ DEF.ART judge’s /ˈdʒʊdʒ.ɪz/ magistrate-GEN seat /siːt/ chair-of-office
38.15a There dwelt an ancient widow in that parish. 38.15b There /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-location dwelt /dwɛlt/ resided-PAST an /ən/ INDEF.ART ancient /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/ aged widow /ˈwɪ.doː/ bereaved-wife in /ɪn/ within that /ðat/ DEM.DISTAL parish /ˈpa.ɹɪʃ/ church-district
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38.1 There stands the castle upon yonder hill. “In that place rises the fortress upon the distant hill.”
38.2 There is no remedy for love but to love more. “No cure exists for love except to love with greater devotion.”
38.3 Stand there and mark how the procession passeth. “Remain in that spot and observe how the ceremonial march proceeds.”
38.4 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Lamentation and grinding of teeth shall occur.”
38.5 I will meet thee there at the stroke of midnight. “I shall encounter you at that place when midnight strikes.”
38.6 There was a man in former times called Priam. “In ages past, there existed a man named Priam.”
38.7 What devil’s there? Show thyself, thou coward! “What demon lurks in that place? Reveal yourself, you craven!”
38.8 There lieth the serpent beneath the innocent flower. “In that place reclines the snake under the guileless blossom.”
38.9 Is there no pity sitting in the clouds? “Does no compassion dwell in the heavens?”
38.10 There shall thy wages be, and there thy bed. “In that place shall be your payment, and in that place your resting place.”
38.11 Who goes there? Stand and unfold yourself! “Who travels in that place? Halt and identify yourself!”
38.12 There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio. “More entities exist in the celestial and terrestrial realms than you imagine, Horatio.”
38.13 Look there, where the traitor cometh with his rabble. “Behold in that direction, where the betrayer approaches with his mob.”
38.14 Let him be brought there before the judge’s seat. “Permit him to be conveyed to that place before the magistrate’s chair.”
38.15 There dwelt an ancient widow in that parish. “An aged bereaved wife resided in that church district.”
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38.1 There stands the castle upon yonder hill.
38.2 There is no remedy for love but to love more.
38.3 Stand there and mark how the procession passeth.
38.4 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
38.5 I will meet thee there at the stroke of midnight.
38.6 There was a man in former times called Priam.
38.7 What devil’s there? Show thyself, thou coward!
38.8 There lieth the serpent beneath the innocent flower.
38.9 Is there no pity sitting in the clouds?
38.10 There shall thy wages be, and there thy bed.
38.11 Who goes there? Stand and unfold yourself!
38.12 There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio.
38.13 Look there, where the traitor cometh with his rabble.
38.14 Let him be brought there before the judge’s seat.
38.15 There dwelt an ancient widow in that parish.
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These are the grammar rules for “there” in Elizabethan English:
1. Locative Function
The primary use of “there” in Early Modern English indicates physical location, answering the question “where?” This function has remained stable from Old English through the present day.
Position in clause: “There” as locative adverb typically occupies initial position for emphasis (”There stands the castle”) or follows the verb in neutral statements (”I will meet thee there”).
The word may combine with demonstrative force, creating what grammarians call “locative deixis”—pointing to a place within the speaker’s awareness but at some distance. This contrasts with “here” (proximal, close to speaker).
2. Existential Function
The existential construction using “there” (”there is,” “there are,” “there was”) introduces statements about the existence or presence of something. In this grammatical role, “there” functions as a “dummy subject” or “expletive”—it holds the subject position without referring to any entity.
Example: “There is no remedy for love” — The logical subject is “remedy,” but “there” occupies the grammatical subject position.
This existential construction was fully established by Shakespeare’s time and shows agreement with the logical subject: “There is a man” (singular) versus “There are more things” (plural).
3. Interrogative Inversion
In questions, the existential construction inverts: “Is there no pity sitting in the clouds?” The auxiliary verb precedes “there,” creating the standard Early Modern interrogative pattern.
4. Period Spelling Variants
The First Folio and Quartos show several spellings for “there”: -
there (most common) -
ther (abbreviated) -
thear (phonetic variant reflecting pronunciation) -
theare (extended spelling)
These variants remind us that spelling was not standardized in Shakespeare’s era.
5. Idiomatic Expressions
“There” participates in several fixed expressions: -
“Who goes there?” — military/watchman’s challenge -
“What’s there?” — expressing surprise or alarm -
“There’s the rub” — identifying the difficulty -
“There, there” — consolation formula
Common Mistakes:
Modern readers often fail to pronounce the final /r/ in “there,” which obscures rhymes and affects the rhythm of verse. In Original Pronunciation, “there” rhymes fully with “bare,” “fair,” “care,” and similar words—all pronounced with a terminal rhotic.
Additionally, the existential “there” sometimes appears contracted in Early Modern texts: “ther’s” or “there’s” for “there is.” This reflects natural speech patterns.
Grammatical Summary (Plain Text):
LOCATIVE: “There” plus verb of position or motion indicates place at distance from speaker. Pronunciation /ðɛːɹ/.
EXISTENTIAL: “There” plus copula (”is/are/was/were”) introduces existence statements. Subject-verb agreement follows the logical subject, not “there” itself.
INTERROGATIVE: Question formation inverts auxiliary and “there” — “Is there...?” “Was there...?”
DIRECTIONAL: “There” may indicate direction of motion — “Go there,” “Look there.”
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Usage in Formal and Informal Contexts:
In Elizabethan England, “there” functioned identically across social registers—both the highest nobles and the lowest commoners used the word with the same grammatical patterns. What differed was the vocabulary surrounding it and the complexity of the existential constructions employed.
Court speech might employ elaborate existential sentences: “There are matters of such grave import depending upon this resolution that I dare not speak further.” Common speech remained simpler: “There’s trouble brewing.”
The Watchman’s Challenge:
“Who goes there?” represents one of the most famous uses of “there” in dramatic literature. This formula was the standard military challenge issued by sentinels. Shakespeare employs it memorably in the opening of Hamlet, immediately establishing an atmosphere of vigilance and danger.
The challenge assumes that someone exists in “that place” (wherever the sound was heard) and demands identification. The full response would include name, allegiance, and purpose.
Theatrical Direction:
Early Modern playwrights used “there” extensively in stage business. Characters pointing or gesturing would say “Look there!” or “See there!” to direct audience attention. This served practical purposes on the sparsely decorated Elizabethan stage, where language had to create the visual world.
Proverbial and Biblical Echoes:
“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” derives from Matthew 8:12 and other Gospel passages. Such biblical phrases were deeply embedded in Elizabethan discourse, and audiences would recognize the allusion instantly.
Similarly, “There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip” and other proverbs employing existential “there” circulated widely.
Regional Variations:
The pronunciation of “there” showed less regional variation than many other words because its phonetic structure was relatively stable. However, the degree of rhoticity (strength of the /r/ sound) varied. London speech maintained clear rhoticity in this period, distinguishing it from the later non-rhotic development that produced modern RP.
Syntactic Peculiarity:
One distinctive feature of Elizabethan existential constructions is the freedom with which they could be inverted for emphasis or in subordinate clauses: “If there be any here who would oppose...” This subjunctive construction (using “be” rather than “is”) has largely disappeared from modern English but was common in formal Early Modern style.
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Source: William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene V (c. 1595)
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Wilt /wɪlt/ will-2SG.FAMILIAR thou /ðaʊ/ 2SG.NOM.FAMILIAR be /biː/ depart gone? /gɔn/ away? It /ɪt/ 3SG.NEUT is /ɪz/ COP not /nɔt/ NEG yet /jɛt/ still near /niːɹ/ close-to day. /deɪ/ morning.
It /ɪt/ 3SG.NEUT was /wɔz/ COP.PAST the /ðə/ DEF.ART nightingale, /ˈnaɪ.tɪŋ.geɪl/ singing-bird, and /and/ CONJ not /nɔt/ NEG the /ðə/ DEF.ART lark, /laːɹk/ morning-bird,
That /ðat/ REL pierced /piːɹst/ penetrated the /ðə/ DEF.ART fearful /ˈfiːɹ.fʊl/ anxious hollow /ˈhɔ.loː/ cavity of /ɔv/ GEN thine /ðaɪn/ 2SG.POSS.FAMILIAR ear. /iːɹ/ hearing-organ.
Nightly /ˈnaɪt.liː/ each-night she /ʃiː/ 3SG.FEM sings /sɪŋz/ vocalizes on /ɔn/ upon yon /jɔn/ that-distant pomegranate /ˈpɔ.mə.gɹa.nət/ fruit-tree tree. /tɹiː/ plant.
Believe /bɪ.ˈliːv/ trust me, /miː/ 1SG.OBJ love, /lʊv/ beloved, it /ɪt/ 3SG.NEUT was /wɔz/ COP.PAST the /ðə/ DEF.ART nightingale. /ˈnaɪ.tɪŋ.geɪl/ singing-bird.
It /ɪt/ 3SG.NEUT was /wɔz/ COP.PAST the /ðə/ DEF.ART lark, /laːɹk/ morning-bird, the /ðə/ DEF.ART herald /ˈhɛ.ɹəld/ announcer of /ɔv/ GEN the /ðə/ DEF.ART morn, /mɔːɹn/ morning,
No /noː/ NEG nightingale. /ˈnaɪ.tɪŋ.geɪl/ singing-bird. Look, /lʊk/ behold, love, /lʊv/ beloved, what /ʍat/ which envious /ˈɛn.vɪ.əs/ jealous streaks /stɹiːks/ lines
Do /duː/ AUX lace /leɪs/ interweave the /ðə/ DEF.ART severing /ˈsɛ.və.ɹɪŋ/ separating clouds /klaʊdz/ sky-vapors in /ɪn/ within yonder /ˈjɔn.dəɹ/ that-distant east. /iːst/ sunrise-direction.
Night’s /naɪts/ darkness-GEN candles /ˈkan.dl̩z/ lights are /aːɹ/ COP.PL burnt /bɜːɹnt/ extinguished out, /aʊt/ completely, and /and/ CONJ jocund /ˈdʒɔ.kənd/ merry day /deɪ/ morning
Stands /standz/ rises tiptoe /ˈtɪp.toː/ on-foot-points on /ɔn/ upon the /ðə/ DEF.ART misty /ˈmɪs.tiː/ foggy mountain /ˈmaʊn.tən/ peak tops. /tɔps/ summits.
I /aɪ/ 1SG.NOM must /mʊst/ MOD.OBLIGATION be /biː/ depart gone /gɔn/ away and /and/ CONJ live, /lɪv/ survive, or /ɔːɹ/ CONJ.ALT stay /steɪ/ remain and /and/ CONJ die. /daɪ/ perish.
F-B: Authentic Text with Translation
JULIET: Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day. It was the nightingale, and not the lark, That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear. Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate tree. Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.
ROMEO: It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale. Look, love, what envious streaks Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
“Will you depart? It is not yet close to daybreak. It was the nightingale that pierced your anxious ear, not the lark. Each night she sings upon that distant pomegranate tree. Trust me, beloved, it was the nightingale.” “It was the lark, the announcer of morning, not the nightingale. Behold, beloved, what jealous streaks of light interweave the separating clouds in the distant east. The stars are extinguished, and cheerful day rises on tiptoe upon the foggy mountain summits. I must depart and live, or remain and perish.”
F-C: Original Text Only
JULIET: Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day. It was the nightingale, and not the lark, That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear. Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate tree. Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.
ROMEO: It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale. Look, love, what envious streaks Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage exemplifies the locative use of demonstratives closely related to “there”: “yon” and “yonder” (distant demonstratives) perform similar deictic functions. The word “yonder” /ˈjɔn.dəɹ/ means “over there, in that distant place” and shares the locative semantics of “there.”
Note the verb forms: “Wilt thou” employs the familiar second-person singular; “standz tiptoe” uses the third-person singular present. The pronunciation of “severing” in OP would be three syllables /ˈsɛ.və.ɹɪŋ/, while “envious” maintains /ˈɛn.vɪ.əs/ with full vowel articulation.
The existential structure “It is not yet near day” employs “it” as the dummy subject rather than “there,” demonstrating an alternative construction for existence/state statements.
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A scene at the city gates. A WATCHMAN challenges travelers approaching at dusk. Two MERCHANTS seek entry, followed by a MESSENGER bearing urgent news.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
38.16a Who goes there? Stand and declare yourselves! 38.16b Who /huː/ which-person goes /goːz/ travels there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place? Stand /stand/ halt and /and/ CONJ declare /dɪ.ˈklɛːɹ/ identify yourselves /jɔːɹ.ˈsɛlvz/ 2PL.REFL!
38.17a There are but honest merchants here, good watchman. 38.17b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST are /aːɹ/ COP.PL but /bʊt/ only honest /ˈɔ.nəst/ truthful merchants /ˈmɜːɹ.tʃənts/ traders here /hiːɹ/ in-this-place good /gʊd/ worthy watchman /ˈwɔtʃ.mən/ sentinel.
38.18a What business have ye there in yonder cart? 38.18b What /ʍat/ which business /ˈbɪz.nəs/ goods have /hav/ possess ye /jiː/ 2PL.NOM there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place in /ɪn/ within yonder /ˈjɔn.dəɹ/ that-distant cart /kaːɹt/ wagon?
38.19a There is naught but cloth and spices, I warrant thee. 38.19b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST is /ɪz/ COP naught /nɔːt/ nothing but /bʊt/ except cloth /klɔθ/ fabric and /and/ CONJ spices /ˈspaɪ.sɪz/ seasonings I /aɪ/ 1SG.NOM warrant /ˈwɔ.ɹənt/ assure thee /ðiː/ 2SG.OBJ.FAMILIAR.
38.20a Stand there whilst I inspect the goods more closely. 38.20b Stand /stand/ remain there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place whilst /ʍaɪlst/ during-which-time I /aɪ/ 1SG.NOM inspect /ɪn.ˈspɛkt/ examine the /ðə/ DEF.ART goods /gʊdz/ merchandise more /moːɹ/ greater-in-degree closely /ˈkloːs.liː/ carefully.
38.21a Is there a quarrel ‘twixt you and the town? 38.21b Is /ɪz/ COP.3SG there /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST a /ə/ INDEF.ART quarrel /ˈkwɔ.ɹəl/ dispute ‘twixt /twɪkst/ between you /juː/ 2PL.NOM and /and/ CONJ the /ðə/ DEF.ART town /taʊn/ municipality?
38.22a Nay, there was never any malice in our hearts. 38.22b Nay /neɪ/ no there /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST was /wɔz/ COP.PAST never /ˈnɛ.vəɹ/ at-no-time any /ˈɛ.niː/ even-slight malice /ˈma.lɪs/ ill-will in /ɪn/ within our /aʊɹ/ 1PL.POSS hearts /haːɹts/ souls.
38.23a Wait there, I see a horseman approaching fast! 38.23b Wait /weɪt/ remain there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place I /aɪ/ 1SG.NOM see /siː/ perceive a /ə/ INDEF.ART horseman /ˈhɔːɹs.mən/ rider approaching /ə.ˈpɹoː.tʃɪŋ/ nearing fast /fast/ swiftly!
38.24a There cometh ill tidings, or I know not men. 38.24b There /ðɛːɹ/ from-that-direction cometh /ˈkʊ.məθ/ approaches-3SG ill /ɪl/ bad tidings /ˈtaɪ.dɪŋz/ news or /ɔːɹ/ CONJ.ALT I /aɪ/ 1SG.NOM know /noː/ understand not /nɔt/ NEG men /mɛn/ people.
38.25a Ho there! Make way for the king’s messenger! 38.25b Ho /hoː/ INTERJ there /ðɛːɹ/ 2PL.VOC.DISTANT! Make /meɪk/ create way /weɪ/ passage for /fɔːɹ/ for-sake-of the /ðə/ DEF.ART king’s /kɪŋz/ monarch-GEN messenger /ˈmɛ.sən.dʒəɹ/ courier!
38.26a There shall be proclamation read this very hour. 38.26b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST shall /ʃal/ FUT.AUX be /biː/ occur proclamation /pɹɔ.klə.ˈmeɪ.sɪ.ən/ announcement read /ɹɛd/ recited this /ðɪs/ DEM.PROX very /ˈvɛ.ɹiː/ same hour /aʊɹ/ time-period.
38.27a There is rebellion in the northern shires, they say. 38.27b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST is /ɪz/ COP rebellion /ɹə.ˈbɛl.jən/ insurrection in /ɪn/ within the /ðə/ DEF.ART northern /ˈnɔːɹ.ðəɹn/ north-located shires /ʃaɪɹz/ counties they /ðeɪ/ 3PL.NOM say /seɪ/ report.
38.28a God’s wounds! And we stand there undefended? 38.28b God’s /gɔdz/ deity-GEN wounds /wuːndz/ injuries! And /and/ CONJ we /wiː/ 1PL.NOM stand /stand/ remain there /ðɛːɹ/ in-that-place undefended /ʊn.dɪ.ˈfɛn.dɪd/ without-protection?
38.29a There must be muster called ere break of day. 38.29b There /ðɛːɹ/ EXIST must /mʊst/ MOD.NECESSITY be /biː/ AUX.PASS muster /ˈmʊs.təɹ/ assembly-of-troops called /kɔːld/ summoned ere /ɛːɹ/ before break /bɹeɪk/ dawning of /ɔv/ GEN day /deɪ/ morning.
38.30a Go there to the castle and raise the alarm! 38.30b Go /goː/ proceed there /ðɛːɹ/ to-that-place to /tuː/ toward the /ðə/ DEF.ART castle /ˈkas.l̩/ fortress and /and/ CONJ raise /ɹeɪz/ sound the /ðə/ DEF.ART alarm /ə.ˈlaːɹm/ warning!
Part B: Natural Sentences
38.16 Who goes there? Stand and declare yourselves! “Who travels in that place? Halt and identify yourselves!”
38.17 There are but honest merchants here, good watchman. “Only honest traders are present here, worthy sentinel.”
38.18 What business have ye there in yonder cart? “What goods do you carry in that distant wagon?”
38.19 There is naught but cloth and spices, I warrant thee. “Nothing exists there except fabric and seasonings, I assure you.”
38.20 Stand there whilst I inspect the goods more closely. “Remain in that spot while I examine the merchandise more carefully.”
38.21 Is there a quarrel ‘twixt you and the town? “Does a dispute exist between you and the municipality?”
38.22 Nay, there was never any malice in our hearts. “No, ill will never existed in our souls.”
38.23 Wait there, I see a horseman approaching fast! “Remain in that place; I perceive a rider nearing swiftly!”
38.24 There cometh ill tidings, or I know not men. “Bad news approaches from that direction, or I understand nothing of people.”
38.25 Ho there! Make way for the king’s messenger! “Attention, you in that place! Create passage for the monarch’s courier!”
38.26 There shall be proclamation read this very hour. “An announcement shall be recited this same hour.”
38.27 There is rebellion in the northern shires, they say. “Insurrection exists in the northern counties, they report.”
38.28 God’s wounds! And we stand there undefended? “By God’s injuries! And we remain in that place without protection?”
38.29 There must be muster called ere break of day. “A troop assembly must be summoned before dawn.”
38.30 Go there to the castle and raise the alarm! “Proceed to that place, to the fortress, and sound the warning!”
Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
38.16 Who goes there? Stand and declare yourselves!
38.17 There are but honest merchants here, good watchman.
38.18 What business have ye there in yonder cart?
38.19 There is naught but cloth and spices, I warrant thee.
38.20 Stand there whilst I inspect the goods more closely.
38.21 Is there a quarrel ‘twixt you and the town?
38.22 Nay, there was never any malice in our hearts.
38.23 Wait there, I see a horseman approaching fast!
38.24 There cometh ill tidings, or I know not men.
38.25 Ho there! Make way for the king’s messenger!
38.26 There shall be proclamation read this very hour.
38.27 There is rebellion in the northern shires, they say.
38.28 God’s wounds! And we stand there undefended?
38.29 There must be muster called ere break of day.
38.30 Go there to the castle and raise the alarm!
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This dramatic dialogue demonstrates the full range of “there” functions in Elizabethan theatrical discourse:
Watchman’s Challenge (38.16): “Who goes there?” represents the standard military formula. Note that “goes” here means “travels/moves” rather than modern “departs.”
Existential with Restriction (38.17): “There are but honest merchants” uses “but” in its archaic sense of “only,” restricting the existential claim.
Locative with Distance (38.18): “There in yonder cart” combines locative “there” with the distant demonstrative “yonder,” reinforcing the spatial deixis.
Existential Negative (38.19): “There is naught but...” employs “naught” (nothing) in an existential construction with exception.
Imperative with Locative (38.20): “Stand there” uses “there” as the goal of the command, specifying where the action should occur.
Existential Question (38.21): “Is there a quarrel...?” inverts the existential construction for interrogative mood.
Existential Negative Past (38.22): “There was never any malice” combines past tense existential with emphatic negation.
Vocative Function (38.25): “Ho there!” uses “there” as a vocative particle addressing persons at a distance—a theatrical convention for hailing.
Pronunciation Note on -tion Words: “Proclamation” (38.26) and “rebellion” (38.27) demonstrate the period pronunciation of -tion/-ion endings: /pɹɔ.klə.ˈmeɪ.sɪ.ən/ (four syllables) and /ɹə.ˈbɛl.jən/ (three syllables), not modern /pɹɒk.ləˈmeɪ.ʃən/ and /rɪˈbel.jən/.
Archaic Oath (38.28): “God’s wounds” (often written “Zounds”) was a common Elizabethan oath, literally referring to Christ’s crucifixion wounds.
Passive Existential (38.29): “There must be muster called” combines the existential with passive voice and modal necessity—a complex construction typical of formal announcement style.
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Key Words from This Lesson:
Word Modern IPA Original Pronunciation IPA there /ðeə(ɹ)/ /ðɛːɹ/ yonder /ˈjɒndə(ɹ)/ /ˈjɔn.dəɹ/ proclamation /ˌpɹɒk.ləˈmeɪ.ʃən/ /pɹɔ.klə.ˈmeɪ.sɪ.ən/ rebellion /rɪˈbel.jən/ /ɹə.ˈbɛl.jən/ hour /aʊə(ɹ)/ /aʊɹ/ merchant /ˈmɜː.tʃənt/ /ˈmɜːɹ.tʃənt/ castle /ˈkɑː.sl̩/ /ˈkas.l̩/ muster /ˈmʌs.tə(ɹ)/ /ˈmʊs.təɹ/
Critical Distinction — The -tion Suffix:
In Original Pronunciation, the suffix spelled “-tion” was pronounced /sɪ.ən/ or /tɪ.ən/, NOT the modern /ʃən/. This adds a syllable to many words: -
invention: /ɪn.ˈvɛn.sɪ.ən/ (4 syllables) -
proclamation: /pɹɔ.klə.ˈmeɪ.sɪ.ən/ (5 syllables) -
nation: /ˈneɪ.sɪ.ən/ (3 syllables) -
action: /ˈak.sɪ.ən/ (3 syllables)
This pronunciation directly affects scansion in verse. A line like “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose” scans differently when “rose” has its OP vowel quality.
Common Pronunciation Errors for Modern English Speakers: -
Failing to pronounce final /r/ in “there,” “yonder,” “hour” -
Using modern /ʃ/ instead of /s/ in -tion endings -
Reducing vowels that were fully articulated in EME -
Using modern RP diphthongs instead of EME monophthongs
Audio Reference Suggestions:
For authentic Original Pronunciation, consult recordings by David Crystal and Ben Crystal, available through the British Library, Folger Shakespeare Library, and Shakespeare’s Globe. The Oxford Dictionary of Original Shakespearean Pronunciation includes online audio files demonstrating period pronunciation.
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The Elizabethan English course follows the Latinum Institute methodology for autodidact language learners, adapted for Early Modern English acquisition. This systematic approach uses frequency-ranked vocabulary and interlinear construed text to accelerate comprehension.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
About the Latinum Institute: Since 2006, the Latinum Institute has been creating comprehensive language learning materials for self-directed learners. The methodology emphasizes construed text—where each word is glossed individually in sequence—allowing learners to understand complex sentences without prior grammatical knowledge.
Trustpilot Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The Benefits of Construed Text for Elizabethan English:
Unlike modern foreign languages, Elizabethan English shares vocabulary with modern English but differs in pronunciation, grammar, and idiom. The construed text approach reveals these differences word by word, training the learner to recognize archaic forms, period-specific meanings, and grammatical patterns now obsolete.
Original Pronunciation (OP) study adds an auditory dimension often missing from Shakespeare education. By learning how the words actually sounded, readers can appreciate rhymes, puns, and wordplay that remain invisible to modern pronunciation.
How Interlinear Glossing Accelerates Comprehension:
Traditional Shakespeare study requires extensive annotation and classroom explanation. The interlinear method places every piece of information the learner needs directly beneath the text, allowing independent study at any pace. Grammatical markers (GEN, DAT, AUX, etc.) provide technical precision without requiring prior grammatical training.
This lesson (038) covers there, a word whose existential and locative functions were identical to modern usage but whose pronunciation differed significantly. Mastering such high-frequency words builds a foundation for reading and hearing Shakespeare as his original audiences did.
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✓ Lesson 038 Elizabethan English complete
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