The modal verb will stands as one of the most essential auxiliary verbs in Elizabethan English, serving dual functions that modern speakers often conflate: expressing futurity and expressing volition or determination. In Shakespeare’s time, these two meanings remained more distinctly felt by speakers, with will primarily conveying desire, intention, or determination, while shall more commonly marked simple futurity. This lesson explores will across its range of Elizabethan usages, from expressions of firm resolve to predictions and commands.
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Frequently Asked Question: What does “will” mean in Elizabethan English?
In Elizabethan English, will functions as a modal auxiliary verb indicating volition (desire, willingness, or determination) and futurity. Unlike modern English where “will” has largely become a neutral future marker, Elizabethan speakers retained a stronger sense of its volitional meaning. The word derives from Old English willan (to wish, desire), and this etymological connection to wanting and willing remained more immediate to Early Modern speakers. Will could also function as a noun meaning “desire” or “testament,” and as a main verb meaning “to wish” or “to command.”
The fifteen examples in this lesson demonstrate will expressing determination, prediction, willingness, and command across various grammatical contexts typical of Elizabethan prose and verse.
Key Takeaways -
Will in Elizabethan usage carries stronger volitional force than in modern English -
The distinction between will (volition) and shall (simple future) was more consistently observed -
Will appears with all persons, though first-person will emphasizes determination -
Second-person wilt and third-person will follow distinct conjugation patterns -
Negative forms include will not, contracted to won’t or wonnot in colloquial speech -
Will could combine with have for future perfect constructions
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Elizabethan pronunciation differed markedly from modern Received Pronunciation or General American. The Great Vowel Shift was ongoing but not complete, yielding vowel qualities intermediate between Middle English and modern forms.
Key Period Pronunciation Features:
The suffix -tion was pronounced /ti.ʊn/ rather than modern /ʃən/, making words like “resolution” sound as /ˌrɛz.ɔˈluː.ti.ʊn/. The vowel in will itself was likely /wɪl/ as today, though surrounding vowels in sentences showed period variation. Long vowels in words like time had not fully shifted to modern /taɪm/ but hovered near /təɪm/ or /tɛɪm/. The letter r was pronounced in all positions (rhotic accent). Final -ed was often pronounced as a full syllable /ɪd/ or /əd/ in verse for metrical purposes.
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40.1a I will not yield to any man alive 40.1b I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-VOL not /nɒt/ not yield /jiːld/ yield to /tuː/ to any /ˈɛn.i/ any man /man/ man alive /əˈlaɪv/ alive
40.2a Thou wilt find the truth ere long 40.2b Thou /ðaʊ/ thou-2SG.NOM wilt /wɪlt/ will-2SG find /faɪnd/ find the /ðə/ the truth /truːθ/ truth ere /ɛːr/ before long /lɒŋ/ long
40.3a He will have vengeance upon his enemies 40.3b He /hiː/ he will /wɪl/ will-FUT have /hav/ have vengeance /ˈvɛn.dʒəns/ vengeance upon /əˈpɒn/ upon his /hɪz/ his enemies /ˈɛn.ə.miːz/ enemies
40.4a What will you do when the King comes 40.4b What /ʍat/ what will /wɪl/ will-FUT you /juː/ you do /duː/ do when /ʍɛn/ when the /ðə/ the King /kɪŋ/ king comes /kʌmz/ comes
40.5a She will not consent to such a match 40.5b She /ʃiː/ she will /wɪl/ will-VOL not /nɒt/ not consent /kənˈsɛnt/ consent to /tuː/ to such /sʌtʃ/ such a /ə/ a match /matʃ/ match
40.6a We will stand together against this tyranny 40.6b We /wiː/ we will /wɪl/ will-VOL stand /stand/ stand together /təˈɡɛð.ər/ together against /əˈɡɛnst/ against this /ðɪs/ this tyranny /ˈtɪr.ə.niː/ tyranny
40.7a They will arrive before the clock strikes twelve 40.7b They /ðeɪ/ they will /wɪl/ will-FUT arrive /əˈraɪv/ arrive before /bɪˈfɔːr/ before the /ðə/ the clock /klɒk/ clock strikes /straɪks/ strikes twelve /twɛlv/ twelve
40.8a If thou wilt serve me faithfully thou shalt prosper 40.8b If /ɪf/ if thou /ðaʊ/ thou wilt /wɪlt/ will-2SG serve /sɛːrv/ serve me /miː/ me faithfully /ˈfeɪθ.fəl.iː/ faithfully thou /ðaʊ/ thou shalt /ʃalt/ shall-2SG prosper /ˈprɒs.pər/ prosper
40.9a The heavens will pour down blessings upon the just 40.9b The /ðə/ the heavens /ˈhɛv.ənz/ heavens will /wɪl/ will-FUT pour /pɔːr/ pour down /daʊn/ down blessings /ˈblɛs.ɪŋz/ blessings upon /əˈpɒn/ upon the /ðə/ the just /dʒʌst/ just
40.10a I will be master of mine own fate 40.10b I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-VOL be /biː/ be master /ˈmas.tər/ master of /ɒv/ of mine /maɪn/ my own /oʊn/ own fate /feɪt/ fate
40.11a Who will answer for this most grievous transgression 40.11b Who /huː/ who will /wɪl/ will-FUT answer /ˈan.sər/ answer for /fɔːr/ for this /ðɪs/ this most /moʊst/ most grievous /ˈɡriː.vəs/ grievous transgression /tranzˈɡrɛ.ʃi.ʊn/ transgression
40.12a The moon will wax and wane as nature bids 40.12b The /ðə/ the moon /muːn/ moon will /wɪl/ will-FUT wax /waks/ wax and /and/ and wane /weɪn/ wane as /az/ as nature /ˈneɪ.tjʊr/ nature bids /bɪdz/ bids
40.13a Wilt thou forsake thy father for this stranger 40.13b Wilt /wɪlt/ will-2SG.INT thou /ðaʊ/ thou forsake /fɔːrˈseɪk/ forsake thy /ðaɪ/ thy father /ˈfaː.ðər/ father for /fɔːr/ for this /ðɪs/ this stranger /ˈstreɪn.dʒər/ stranger
40.14a Time will reveal what prudence doth conceal 40.14b Time /təɪm/ time will /wɪl/ will-FUT reveal /rɪˈviːl/ reveal what /ʍat/ what prudence /ˈpruː.dəns/ prudence doth /dʌθ/ does conceal /kənˈsiːl/ conceal
40.15a I will have satisfaction or I will have death 40.15b I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-VOL have /hav/ have satisfaction /ˌsat.ɪsˈfak.ti.ʊn/ satisfaction or /ɔːr/ or I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-VOL have /hav/ have death /dɛθ/ death
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40.1 I will not yield to any man alive. “I refuse to surrender to any living man.”
40.2 Thou wilt find the truth ere long. “You will discover the truth before much time passes.”
40.3 He will have vengeance upon his enemies. “He shall take revenge upon those who wronged him.”
40.4 What will you do when the King comes? “What do you intend to do upon the King’s arrival?”
40.5 She will not consent to such a match. “She refuses to agree to such a marriage arrangement.”
40.6 We will stand together against this tyranny. “We are determined to resist this oppression as one.”
40.7 They will arrive before the clock strikes twelve. “They shall come before midnight sounds.”
40.8 If thou wilt serve me faithfully, thou shalt prosper. “If you are willing to serve me loyally, you shall thrive.”
40.9 The heavens will pour down blessings upon the just. “Heaven shall bestow its favours upon the righteous.”
40.10 I will be master of mine own fate. “I am determined to control my own destiny.”
40.11 Who will answer for this most grievous transgression? “Who shall be held accountable for this terrible offence?”
40.12 The moon will wax and wane as nature bids. “The moon shall grow full and diminish as nature commands.”
40.13 Wilt thou forsake thy father for this stranger? “Are you willing to abandon your father for this unknown person?”
40.14 Time will reveal what prudence doth conceal. “Time shall uncover what caution keeps hidden.”
40.15 I will have satisfaction, or I will have death. “I am resolved to obtain redress, or else to die.”
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40.1 I will not yield to any man alive.
40.2 Thou wilt find the truth ere long.
40.3 He will have vengeance upon his enemies.
40.4 What will you do when the King comes?
40.5 She will not consent to such a match.
40.6 We will stand together against this tyranny.
40.7 They will arrive before the clock strikes twelve.
40.8 If thou wilt serve me faithfully, thou shalt prosper.
40.9 The heavens will pour down blessings upon the just.
40.10 I will be master of mine own fate.
40.11 Who will answer for this most grievous transgression?
40.12 The moon will wax and wane as nature bids.
40.13 Wilt thou forsake thy father for this stranger?
40.14 Time will reveal what prudence doth conceal.
40.15 I will have satisfaction, or I will have death.
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These are the grammar rules for WILL in Elizabethan English.
Conjugation of WILL
The modal verb will conjugates distinctively in Early Modern English, retaining the second-person singular form wilt used with thou. The full paradigm runs as follows: first person singular I will, second person singular thou wilt, third person singular he/she/it will, first person plural we will, second person plural you will (or ye will), and third person plural they will.
The negative is formed by placing not after will, yielding will not. In rapid speech, this contracted to won’t or the older form wonnot. The interrogative inverts subject and verb: Will he come? becomes Wilt thou come? for the second person singular.
Will versus Shall: The Traditional Distinction
Elizabethan grammar maintained a meaningful distinction between will and shall that modern English has largely lost. For simple futurity, traditional usage prescribed shall in the first person (I shall, we shall) and will in the second and third persons (thou wilt, he will, they will). To express volition, determination, or promise, the pattern reversed: will in the first person conveyed strong intention or resolve, while shall in the second and third persons expressed commands or promises from the speaker.
Thus I will go meant “I am determined to go” or “I want to go,” while I shall go meant simply “I am going to go.” Conversely, thou shalt go carried the force of a command or promise, while thou wilt go indicated the addressee’s own will or a neutral prediction about their future action.
Volitional Will
The volitional sense of will encompasses willingness, desire, intention, and determination. In sentences like I will not yield, the modal expresses firm resolve rather than mere futurity. This volitional force derives from the verb’s Old English ancestor willan (to wish, desire), and Elizabethan speakers remained conscious of this etymology.
Predictive Will
Will also expresses prediction or expectation, particularly about natural phenomena or inevitable events. In Time will reveal what prudence doth conceal, the modal indicates what shall certainly come to pass. This predictive function often appears in generalizing statements and proverbs.
Will with Have (Future Perfect)
Elizabethan English constructed the future perfect with will have plus past participle: He will have finished ere we arrive. This form indicated completion of an action before a future reference point. The construction follows the same patterns as modern English but appeared with greater frequency in formal and literary registers.
Common Mistakes for Modern Learners
Modern speakers often overlook the wilt form for second-person singular, defaulting to will regardless of pronoun. Remember that thou always requires wilt: Thou wilt remember not Thou will remember.
Another common error involves ignoring the will/shall distinction when reading or composing Elizabethan prose. While the distinction was already beginning to blur in Shakespeare’s time, observing it lends authenticity to period language.
Finally, modern speakers may forget that will in Elizabethan usage often carries volitional weight absent from contemporary neutral futures. Read I will do this as “I am determined to do this” rather than simply “I am going to do this.”
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Will and Testament Culture
The word will carried particular cultural weight in Elizabethan England due to its connection with testaments and inheritance. A person’s last will and testament determined the distribution of property and the fate of dependents after death. The verb will meaning “to bequeath” and the noun will meaning “a testament” shared space with the modal auxiliary, and Elizabethan writers frequently punned on these multiple meanings. Shakespeare famously played upon his own name and its connection to will in the Sonnets, where Will refers simultaneously to desire, determination, the poet himself, and (some scholars argue) other individuals named William.
Volition and Free Will in Religious Discourse
The theological concept of free will preoccupied Elizabethan religious thought. Protestant and Catholic theologians debated whether human beings possessed genuine freedom to choose salvation or whether divine predestination determined all outcomes. This controversy gave the word will charged significance in sermons, tracts, and devotional literature. When characters in plays declare what they will do, Elizabethan audiences may have heard echoes of these deeper questions about human agency and divine sovereignty.
Will in Courtship and Contract
Expressions of will carried legal weight in betrothal and marriage contracts. To say I will marry thee constituted a binding commitment in certain circumstances, especially when spoken before witnesses. The exchange of wills—statements of mutual intention—formed the essential element of the marriage contract itself. Thus when dramatic characters declare their will regarding marriage, the language carries contractual as well as emotional force.
Regional and Social Variation
The distinction between will and shall was more consistently maintained in southern English dialects and among educated speakers. Northern dialects showed greater variation, and by Shakespeare’s time, the traditional rules were already beginning to break down in common speech. Writers of the period sometimes used will and shall interchangeably for metrical convenience, though prescriptive grammarians continued to insist on the distinction well into the eighteenth century.
Idiomatic Expressions Using Will
Elizabethan English employed will in numerous fixed expressions: will he, nill he (whether he wants to or not, from “will he” and “ne will he”), at will (at one’s pleasure or discretion), good will (benevolence, favourable disposition), ill will (malice, enmity), and with a will (with vigour or determination). Many of these expressions survive in modern English, though some have become archaic.
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From William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (Act III, Scene 1)
This passage demonstrates will in its volitional sense, as the conspirators declare their intentions after Caesar’s assassination.
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Stoop /stuːp/ stoop-IMP Romans /ˈroʊ.mənz/ Romans stoop /stuːp/ stoop-IMP and /and/ and let /lɛt/ let-IMP us /ʌs/ us bathe /beɪð/ bathe our /aʊr/ our hands /handz/ hands in /ɪn/ in Caesar’s /ˈsiː.zərz/ Caesar-GEN blood /blʌd/ blood up /ʌp/ up to /tuː/ to the /ðə/ the elbows /ˈɛl.boʊz/ elbows and /and/ and besmear /bɪˈsmɪər/ besmear our /aʊr/ our swords /sɔːrdz/ swords then /ðɛn/ then walk /wɔːk/ walk-IMP we /wiː/ we forth /fɔːrθ/ forth even /ˈiː.vən/ even to /tuː/ to the /ðə/ the market-place /ˈmar.kɪt.pleɪs/ market-place and /and/ and waving /ˈweɪ.vɪŋ/ waving our /aʊr/ our red /rɛd/ red weapons /ˈwɛp.ənz/ weapons o’er /ɔːr/ over our /aʊr/ our heads /hɛdz/ heads let’s /lɛts/ let-us all /ɔːl/ all cry /kraɪ/ cry peace /piːs/ peace freedom /ˈfriː.dəm/ freedom and /and/ and liberty /ˈlɪb.ər.tiː/ liberty
How /haʊ/ how many /ˈmɛn.iː/ many ages /ˈeɪ.dʒɪz/ ages hence /hɛns/ hence shall /ʃal/ shall-FUT this /ðɪs/ this our /aʊr/ our lofty /ˈlɒf.tiː/ lofty scene /siːn/ scene be /biː/ be acted /ˈak.tɪd/ acted over /ˈoʊ.vər/ over in /ɪn/ in states /steɪts/ states unborn /ʌnˈbɔːrn/ unborn and /and/ and accents /ˈak.sɛnts/ accents yet /jɛt/ yet unknown /ʌnˈnoʊn/ unknown
F-B: Authentic Text with Translation
Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords; Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, And waving our red weapons o’er our heads, Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
“Bend down, Romans, bend down, and let us wash our hands in Caesar’s blood up to the elbows, and smear our swords; then let us walk out, even to the marketplace, and waving our bloodied weapons above our heads, let us all cry out ‘Peace, freedom, and liberty!’ How many ages from now shall this noble scene of ours be performed again in nations not yet born and languages not yet spoken!”
F-C: Original Text Only
Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords; Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, And waving our red weapons o’er our heads, Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage from Cassius demonstrates the hortatory subjunctive (let us bathe, walk we forth) and future shall in its predictive sense. The phrase shall this our lofty scene be acted over employs shall for future prediction, contrasting with volitional will. The construction walk we forth uses inverted word order typical of exhortation. Note besmear (to smear thoroughly, with intensifying prefix be-), hence (from this time forward), and o’er (poetic contraction of “over”). The metatheatrical awareness—characters anticipating future performances of their actions—exemplifies Shakespeare’s characteristic self-consciousness about theatre.
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A scene wherein a father confronts his son regarding the young man’s intention to defy a royal command. The dialogue explores will as volition, determination, and conflict of purposes.
GENRE PART A: INTERLINEAR CONSTRUED TEXT
40.16a Father what will you have me do 40.16b Father /ˈfaː.ðər/ father-VOC what /ʍat/ what will /wɪl/ will-VOL you /juː/ you have /hav/ have-CAUS me /miː/ me do /duː/ do
40.17a I will have thee obey thy sovereign’s command 40.17b I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-VOL have /hav/ have-CAUS thee /ðiː/ thee-2SG.ACC obey /oʊˈbeɪ/ obey thy /ðaɪ/ thy sovereign’s /ˈsɒv.rənz/ sovereign-GEN command /kəˈmand/ command
40.18a But Father the King’s decree offends all natural justice 40.18b But /bʌt/ but Father /ˈfaː.ðər/ father the /ðə/ the King’s /kɪŋz/ king-GEN decree /dɪˈkriː/ decree offends /əˈfɛndz/ offends all /ɔːl/ all natural /ˈnat.jʊr.əl/ natural justice /ˈdʒʌs.tɪs/ justice
40.19a What will justice profit thee when thy head sits upon a pike 40.19b What /ʍat/ what will /wɪl/ will-FUT justice /ˈdʒʌs.tɪs/ justice profit /ˈprɒf.ɪt/ profit thee /ðiː/ thee when /ʍɛn/ when thy /ðaɪ/ thy head /hɛd/ head sits /sɪts/ sits upon /əˈpɒn/ upon a /ə/ a pike /paɪk/ pike
40.20a I will not bend my conscience to preserve my neck 40.20b I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-VOL not /nɒt/ not bend /bɛnd/ bend my /maɪ/ my conscience /ˈkɒn.ʃəns/ conscience to /tuː/ to-PURP preserve /prɪˈzɛːrv/ preserve my /maɪ/ my neck /nɛk/ neck
40.21a Thou wilt destroy this house with thy stubborn will 40.21b Thou /ðaʊ/ thou wilt /wɪlt/ will-2SG destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ destroy this /ðɪs/ this house /haʊs/ house with /wɪð/ with thy /ðaɪ/ thy stubborn /ˈstʌb.ərn/ stubborn will /wɪl/ will-N
40.22a Then let it fall for I will not be forsworn 40.22b Then /ðɛn/ then let /lɛt/ let it /ɪt/ it fall /fɔːl/ fall for /fɔːr/ for I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-VOL not /nɒt/ not be /biː/ be forsworn /fɔːrˈswɔːrn/ forsworn
40.23a The King will show no mercy to rebels 40.23b The /ðə/ the King /kɪŋ/ king will /wɪl/ will-FUT show /ʃoʊ/ show no /noʊ/ no mercy /ˈmɛr.siː/ mercy to /tuː/ to rebels /ˈrɛb.əlz/ rebels
40.24a I know full well what price rebellion will exact 40.24b I /aɪ/ I know /noʊ/ know full /fʊl/ full well /wɛl/ well what /ʍat/ what price /praɪs/ price rebellion /rɪˈbɛl.i.ʊn/ rebellion will /wɪl/ will-FUT exact /ɪɡˈzakt/ exact
40.25a Yet still thou wilt persist in this mad course 40.25b Yet /jɛt/ yet still /stɪl/ still thou /ðaʊ/ thou wilt /wɪlt/ will-2SG persist /pərˈsɪst/ persist in /ɪn/ in this /ðɪs/ this mad /mad/ mad course /kɔːrs/ course
40.26a My resolution will not waver though death itself should beckon 40.26b My /maɪ/ my resolution /ˌrɛz.əˈluː.ti.ʊn/ resolution will /wɪl/ will-VOL not /nɒt/ not waver /ˈweɪ.vər/ waver though /ðoʊ/ though death /dɛθ/ death itself /ɪtˈsɛlf/ itself should /ʃʊd/ should beckon /ˈbɛk.ən/ beckon
40.27a O that thy mother had lived to see what thou wilt become 40.27b O /oʊ/ O-EXCL that /ðat/ that-COMP thy /ðaɪ/ thy mother /ˈmʌð.ər/ mother had /had/ had lived /lɪvd/ lived to /tuː/ to-PURP see /siː/ see what /ʍat/ what thou /ðaʊ/ thou wilt /wɪlt/ will-2SG become /bɪˈkʌm/ become
40.28a She would have understood that honour will not bend 40.28b She /ʃiː/ she would /wʊd/ would have /hav/ have understood /ˌʌn.dərˈstʊd/ understood that /ðat/ that-COMP honour /ˈɒn.ər/ honour will /wɪl/ will-VOL not /nɒt/ not bend /bɛnd/ bend
40.29a Then go and may God’s will be done upon us all 40.29b Then /ðɛn/ then go /ɡoʊ/ go-IMP and /and/ and may /meɪ/ may God’s /ɡɒdz/ God-GEN will /wɪl/ will-N be /biː/ be done /dʌn/ done upon /əˈpɒn/ upon us /ʌs/ us all /ɔːl/ all
40.30a Father I will remember thy blessing when the axe descends 40.30b Father /ˈfaː.ðər/ father-VOC I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will-FUT remember /rɪˈmɛm.bər/ remember thy /ðaɪ/ thy blessing /ˈblɛs.ɪŋ/ blessing when /ʍɛn/ when the /ðə/ the axe /aks/ axe descends /dɪˈsɛndz/ descends
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GENRE PART B: NATURAL SENTENCES
40.16 Father, what will you have me do? “Father, what do you wish me to do?”
40.17 I will have thee obey thy sovereign’s command. “I want you to obey your King’s order.”
40.18 But Father, the King’s decree offends all natural justice. “But Father, the King’s order violates every principle of natural law.”
40.19 What will justice profit thee when thy head sits upon a pike? “What good will justice do you when your head is displayed on a spike?”
40.20 I will not bend my conscience to preserve my neck. “I refuse to compromise my principles merely to save my life.”
40.21 Thou wilt destroy this house with thy stubborn will. “You are going to ruin this family with your obstinate determination.”
40.22 Then let it fall, for I will not be forsworn. “Then let it be ruined, for I refuse to break my oath.”
40.23 The King will show no mercy to rebels. “The King shall grant no clemency to those who defy him.”
40.24 I know full well what price rebellion will exact. “I understand completely what penalty defiance shall demand.”
40.25 Yet still thou wilt persist in this mad course? “Yet you remain determined to continue on this insane path?”
40.26 My resolution will not waver, though death itself should beckon. “My determination shall not falter, even if death itself calls to me.”
40.27 O, that thy mother had lived to see what thou wilt become! “Would that your mother had survived to witness what you are determined to be!”
40.28 She would have understood that honour will not bend. “She would have comprehended that integrity refuses to yield.”
40.29 Then go, and may God’s will be done upon us all. “Then depart, and may divine providence unfold over all of us.”
40.30 Father, I will remember thy blessing when the axe descends. “Father, I shall carry your benediction with me when execution comes.”
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GENRE PART C: ELIZABETHAN TEXT ONLY
40.16 Father, what will you have me do?
40.17 I will have thee obey thy sovereign’s command.
40.18 But Father, the King’s decree offends all natural justice.
40.19 What will justice profit thee when thy head sits upon a pike?
40.20 I will not bend my conscience to preserve my neck.
40.21 Thou wilt destroy this house with thy stubborn will.
40.22 Then let it fall, for I will not be forsworn.
40.23 The King will show no mercy to rebels.
40.24 I know full well what price rebellion will exact.
40.25 Yet still thou wilt persist in this mad course?
40.26 My resolution will not waver, though death itself should beckon.
40.27 O, that thy mother had lived to see what thou wilt become!
40.28 She would have understood that honour will not bend.
40.29 Then go, and may God’s will be done upon us all.
40.30 Father, I will remember thy blessing when the axe descends.
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GENRE PART D: GRAMMAR NOTES FOR DIALOGUE
This dramatic dialogue demonstrates multiple functions of will in confrontational discourse.
Causative Will Have Construction (40.16, 40.17): The construction will have thee do employs will with have as a causative—”I want to cause you to do.” This common Elizabethan pattern expresses command or desire that another person perform an action.
Will as Noun (40.21, 40.29): The dialogue plays on will as both modal verb and noun. In thy stubborn will, the word functions as a noun meaning “determination” or “volition.” In God’s will, it means “divine intention” or “purpose.” This punning between verb and noun reflects typical Elizabethan wordplay.
Second Person Wilt Forms: The father’s use of thou forms (wilt, thee, thy) toward his son indicates intimacy as well as the superior-to-inferior address pattern of Early Modern English. The consistent wilt conjugation appears in questions (40.25) and statements (40.21, 40.27).
Period Pronunciation of -tion: Note resolution /ˌrɛz.əˈluː.ti.ʊn/ and rebellion /rɪˈbɛl.i.ʊn/ with the period /ti.ʊn/ pronunciation rather than modern /ʃən/. This pronunciation creates additional syllables affecting verse meter.
Forsworn (40.22): The past participle forsworn means “having broken an oath” or “perjured.” Combined with will not be, it expresses the son’s determination to maintain his oath regardless of consequences.
Subjunctive May (40.29): The optative subjunctive may God’s will be done expresses a wish or prayer, contrasting with the indicative uses of will throughout the scene.
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Key Period Pronunciations for This Lesson
will /wɪl/ — unchanged from modern pronunciation
wilt /wɪlt/ — second person singular form with final /t/
resolution /ˌrɛz.əˈluː.ti.ʊn/ — note period /ti.ʊn/ for -tion
rebellion /rɪˈbɛl.i.ʊn/ — four syllables with /i.ʊn/ ending
satisfaction /ˌsat.ɪsˈfak.ti.ʊn/ — period pronunciation preserves the /ti/ cluster
transgression /tranzˈɡrɛ.ʃi.ʊn/ — the /ʃ/ sound was emerging but /si.ʊn/ also acceptable
conscience /ˈkɒn.ʃəns/ — largely as modern pronunciation
natural /ˈnat.jʊr.əl/ — with clear /j/ glide before /ʊr/
sovereign /ˈsɒv.rən/ — two syllables, as in modern English
forsworn /fɔːrˈswɔːrn/ — rhotic pronunciation with full /r/ sounds
Common Errors for English Speakers
Modern speakers often collapse -tion to /ʃən/ automatically. Practice keeping the /ti/ cluster distinct: res-o-LU-ti-un (five syllables), not res-o-LU-shun (four syllables).
The voiceless /ʍ/ sound in words like what, when, where was standard in Elizabethan English. Modern speakers typically pronounce these with simple /w/, but period pronunciation distinguished when /ʍɛn/ from wen /wɛn/.
Remember that final -ed in verse may receive full syllabic pronunciation /ɪd/ for metrical purposes: acted as /ˈak.tɪd/ (three syllables when needed for meter).
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This Elizabethan English course forms part of the Latinum Institute’s comprehensive language learning materials, developed using methodology refined since 2006. The course applies the construed text approach—traditionally used for Latin and Greek—to historical English, enabling modern readers to develop intuitive understanding of Early Modern syntax and vocabulary.
The interlinear glossing method breaks each sentence into individual words with pronunciation guidance and grammatical notation, allowing learners to see exactly how Elizabethan sentences construct meaning. This granular approach accelerates comprehension by making implicit grammatical relationships explicit while preserving authentic word order.
Elizabethan English presents particular value for readers of Shakespeare, Marlowe, Spenser, and the King James Bible. By developing familiarity with period grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, learners gain direct access to these foundational texts of English literature without dependence on modernised paraphrases or footnotes.
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✓ Lesson 040 Elizabethan English complete
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