In this lesson, we explore backe /bak/, the adverb expressing return, reversal, and rearward motion in Elizabethan English. This versatile word served Shakespeare and his contemporaries in both physical and metaphorical senses: one might walk backe toward the door, think backe upon former times, or give backe what was borrowed.
The spelling backe with its final -e reflects the transitional orthography of the period, though this terminal letter had become silent by Shakespeare’s time. The short vowel /a/ remained stable through the Great Vowel Shift, pronounced as a more open sound than modern English—closer to the ‘a’ in modern “father” but shorter: /bak/. The word derives from Old English bæc and retained strong Germanic character throughout the Early Modern period.
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FAQ: What does “back” mean in Elizabethan English?
In Elizabethan English, backe functions primarily as an adverb indicating (1) return to a previous position or state, (2) rearward direction, and (3) temporal reflection upon the past. It combines with verbs of motion (come backe, turne backe, goe backe), communication (send backe, give backe, call backe), and cognition (thinke backe, looke backe). The word appears throughout Shakespeare’s works in stage directions, soliloquies, and dialogue, often carrying emotional weight when characters contemplate what cannot be undone.
Key Takeaways -
Pronounced /bak/ with an open ‘a’ vowel; the final -e was silent by Shakespeare’s era -
Functions as adverb of direction (rearward) and return (to origin) -
Combines productively with verbs: turne backe, come backe, give backe, looke backe -
Carries metaphorical weight in temporal contexts: looking or thinking backe upon past events -
Often appears in imperative constructions: “Stand backe!” “Give backe the crowne!”
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Key Period Features:
The pronunciation system of Early Modern English (c. 1550-1650) differs markedly from contemporary Received Pronunciation. Students should note these essential features:
Vowels: -
Short /a/ as in backe was pronounced more openly: /bak/ (similar to modern “father” but shorter) -
Long /aː/ had not yet shifted fully to modern /eɪ/; name sounded closer to /naːm/ -
The vowel in time was still transitioning: approximately /təɪm/ rather than modern /taɪm/
Consonants: -
All written ‘r’ sounds were pronounced (fully rhotic): faire = /fɛːr/, harte = /hart/ -
The ‘k’ in knight, know, knocke was still pronounced by some speakers: /knɪçt/ -
‘Wh’ maintained aspiration: what = /ʍat/ or /hwat/
Critical Period Feature - The “-tion” Suffix: -
Pronounced /sɪən/ or /tɪən/, NOT modern /ʃən/ -
Nation = /nasɪən/ or /natɪən/ -
Affection = /afɛksɪən/ -
Question = /kwɛstɪən/ -
This pronunciation explains many Shakespearean rhymes that seem imperfect to modern ears
Final -e: -
Generally silent by Shakespeare’s time, though retained in spelling -
Useful for metrical purposes in verse; poets could invoke or suppress it as rhythm required
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Examples 1-5 (Simple)
1.1a Come backe anon. 1.1b Come /kʊm/ come-IMP backe /bak/ back anon /əˈnɒn/ soon
1.2a Turne backe, villaine! 1.2b Turne /tʊrn/ turn-IMP backe /bak/ back villaine /ˈvɪlən/ villain
1.3a He rode backe homeward. 1.3b He /heː/ he rode /roːd/ rode backe /bak/ back homeward /ˈhoːmwərd/ homeward
1.4a Stand backe, I say. 1.4b Stand /stand/ stand-IMP backe /bak/ back I /əɪ/ I say /sɛː/ say
1.5a She lookes backe still. 1.5b She /ʃeː/ she lookes /lʊːks/ looks backe /bak/ back still /stɪl/ still
Examples 6-10 (Intermediate)
1.6a Give backe the letters thou hast stolne. 1.6b Give /gɪv/ give-IMP backe /bak/ back the /ðə/ the letters /ˈlɛtərz/ letters thou /ðaʊ/ thou hast /hast/ have-2SG stolne /stoːln/ stolen
1.7a I cannot call backe yesterday’s houres. 1.7b I /əɪ/ I cannot /ˈkanɒt/ cannot call /kɔːl/ call backe /bak/ back yesterday’s /ˈjɛstərdɛːz/ yesterday’s houres /ˈaʊərz/ hours
1.8a The armie fell backe in great confusion. 1.8b The /ðə/ the armie /ˈarmɪ/ army fell /fɛl/ fell backe /bak/ back in /ɪn/ in great /grɛːt/ great confusion /kənˈfjuːzɪən/ confusion
1.9a Thinke backe upon thy former happinesse. 1.9b Thinke /θɪŋk/ think-IMP backe /bak/ back upon /əˈpɒn/ upon thy /ðəɪ/ thy former /ˈfɔrmər/ former happinesse /ˈhapɪnɛs/ happiness
1.10a The messenger was sent backe without answere. 1.10b The /ðə/ the messenger /ˈmɛsəndʒər/ messenger was /waz/ was sent /sɛnt/ sent backe /bak/ back without /wɪðˈaʊt/ without answere /ˈansər/ answer
Examples 11-15 (Complex)
1.11a What’s done cannot be undone; we cannot fetch backe time that is past. 1.11b What’s /ʍats/ what-is done /dʊn/ done cannot /ˈkanɒt/ cannot be /beː/ be undone /ʊnˈdʊn/ undone we /weː/ we cannot /ˈkanɒt/ cannot fetch /fɛtʃ/ fetch backe /bak/ back time /təɪm/ time that /ðat/ that is /ɪz/ is past /past/ past
1.12a Shall I turne backe and flye, or stand and fight like men of honour? 1.12b Shall /ʃal/ shall I /əɪ/ I turne /tʊrn/ turn backe /bak/ back and /and/ and flye /fləɪ/ fly or /ɔr/ or stand /stand/ stand and /and/ and fight /fəɪçt/ fight like /ləɪk/ like men /mɛn/ men of /ɒv/ of honour /ˈɒnər/ honour
1.13a The tides of fortune, having ebbed, may flowe backe againe with doubled force. 1.13b The /ðə/ the tides /təɪdz/ tides of /ɒv/ of fortune /ˈfɔrtʃən/ fortune having /ˈhavɪŋ/ having ebbed /ɛbd/ ebbed may /mɛː/ may flowe /floː/ flow backe /bak/ back againe /əˈgɛːn/ again with /wɪð/ with doubled /ˈdʊbəld/ doubled force /fɔrs/ force
1.14a Goe backe to thy master and tell him we shall not yeeld one inch of ground. 1.14b Goe /goː/ go-IMP backe /bak/ back to /tʊ/ to thy /ðəɪ/ thy master /ˈmastər/ master and /and/ and tell /tɛl/ tell him /hɪm/ him we /weː/ we shall /ʃal/ shall not /nɒt/ not yeeld /jeːld/ yield one /wʊn/ one inch /ɪntʃ/ inch of /ɒv/ of ground /graʊnd/ ground
1.15a I looke backe upon my youth with both joy and sorrowe, for innocence once lost returneth never. 1.15b I /əɪ/ I looke /lʊːk/ look backe /bak/ back upon /əˈpɒn/ upon my /məɪ/ my youth /juːθ/ youth with /wɪð/ with both /boːθ/ both joy /dʒɔɪ/ joy and /and/ and sorrowe /ˈsɒroː/ sorrow for /fɔr/ for innocence /ˈɪnəsəns/ innocence once /wʊns/ once lost /lɒst/ lost returneth /rɪˈtʊrnəθ/ return-3SG never /ˈnɛvər/ never
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1.1 Come backe anon. Come back soon.
1.2 Turne backe, villaine! Turn back, villain!
1.3 He rode backe homeward. He rode back homeward.
1.4 Stand backe, I say. Stand back, I say.
1.5 She lookes backe still. She still looks back.
1.6 Give backe the letters thou hast stolne. Give back the letters you have stolen.
1.7 I cannot call backe yesterday’s houres. I cannot call back yesterday’s hours.
1.8 The armie fell backe in great confusion. The army fell back in great confusion.
1.9 Thinke backe upon thy former happinesse. Think back upon your former happiness.
1.10 The messenger was sent backe without answere. The messenger was sent back without an answer.
1.11 What’s done cannot be undone; we cannot fetch backe time that is past. What’s done cannot be undone; we cannot fetch back time that is past.
1.12 Shall I turne backe and flye, or stand and fight like men of honour? Shall I turn back and flee, or stand and fight like men of honour?
1.13 The tides of fortune, having ebbed, may flowe backe againe with doubled force. The tides of fortune, having ebbed, may flow back again with doubled force.
1.14 Goe backe to thy master and tell him we shall not yeeld one inch of ground. Go back to your master and tell him we shall not yield one inch of ground.
1.15 I looke backe upon my youth with both joy and sorrowe, for innocence once lost returneth never. I look back upon my youth with both joy and sorrow, for innocence once lost never returns.
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1.1 Come backe anon.
1.2 Turne backe, villaine!
1.3 He rode backe homeward.
1.4 Stand backe, I say.
1.5 She lookes backe still.
1.6 Give backe the letters thou hast stolne.
1.7 I cannot call backe yesterday’s houres.
1.8 The armie fell backe in great confusion.
1.9 Thinke backe upon thy former happinesse.
1.10 The messenger was sent backe without answere.
1.11 What’s done cannot be undone; we cannot fetch backe time that is past.
1.12 Shall I turne backe and flye, or stand and fight like men of honour?
1.13 The tides of fortune, having ebbed, may flowe backe againe with doubled force.
1.14 Goe backe to thy master and tell him we shall not yeeld one inch of ground.
1.15 I looke backe upon my youth with both joy and sorrowe, for innocence once lost returneth never.
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1. “Backe” as Adverb of Direction
In Elizabethan English, backe functions primarily as an adverb modifying verbs of motion. It indicates movement toward a previous position, rearward motion, or return to an origin. Unlike Modern English, where “back” is often fused with verbs to form phrasal verbs, Elizabethan usage maintained clearer separation, though the sense remained identical.
Directional combinations: -
come backe — to return to the speaker’s location -
goe backe — to return to a previous location -
turne backe — to reverse direction -
fall backe — to retreat (military context) -
ride/walke/runne backe — motion verbs + return
2. “Backe” with Verbs of Transfer
The adverb combines with verbs indicating giving, sending, or calling to express return or restoration: -
give backe — to restore, to return (what was taken or borrowed) -
send backe — to dispatch in return -
call backe — to summon to return; metaphorically, to retrieve
Example 1.7 demonstrates the metaphorical extension: one cannot call backe time any more than one might summon a servant.
3. “Backe” in Temporal Reflection
When combined with verbs of perception or cognition, backe shifts from spatial to temporal meaning: -
looke backe — to consider the past; to reflect upon what has been -
thinke backe — to remember; to mentally revisit former times -
cast backe one’s mind — to deliberately recall
This usage appears frequently in soliloquies where characters contemplate their former states, as in Example 1.15.
4. The Imperative with “Backe”
Commands using backe were common in dramatic contexts: -
Stand backe! — a command to move away (cf. modern “stand back!”) -
Give backe! — a demand for return or restoration -
Turne backe! — an order to retreat or reverse course -
Come backe! — a summons to return
Note the pronoun-verb inversion typical of period imperatives: “Give backe thou” or simply “Give backe” with the subject understood.
5. Spelling Variation
The word appears in period texts as backe, back, and occasionally bak. The final -e, a relic of Middle English inflectional endings, was silent by Shakespeare’s era but persisted in orthography. Compositors and scribes applied it inconsistently. For metrical purposes in verse, poets could treat it as syllabic when needed.
6. Period Pronunciation Notes
The word /bak/ maintained a short, open /a/ vowel that did not participate in the Great Vowel Shift (which affected long vowels primarily). This vowel was slightly more open than modern RP /æ/, closer to the vowel in modern “father” but shorter in duration. The consonants /b/ and /k/ remained stable from Middle English through the Early Modern period.
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Return and Reversal in Elizabethan Thought
The concept of backe—return, reversal, retreat—carried profound resonance in a culture deeply concerned with cycles, mutability, and the irrecoverability of time. The Elizabethan worldview, shaped by classical philosophy and Christian theology, held that time moved inexorably forward while human desire perpetually sought to recover what was lost.
Theatrical Reversals: Shakespeare’s plays abound with dramatic turns requiring characters to turne backe from their intended courses. The soliloquy often serves as a moment when characters looke backe upon decisions made, contemplating what cannot be undone. Macbeth’s recognition that he has “stepp’d in so far” that returning would be “tedious as go o’er” captures the tragic weight of actions that cannot be taken backe.
Military Context: In an age of near-continuous warfare, falling backe carried tactical significance. Retreat was not necessarily cowardice; strategic withdrawal could preserve forces for future engagement. The command “Stand backe!” served both on battlefield and stage, clearing space for swordplay or dramatic revelation.
Fortune’s Wheel: Medieval and Renaissance iconography frequently depicted Fortune as a goddess turning a wheel, raising some while casting others down. This cyclical motion—the possibility that what goes forward may yet come backe—offered both warning and consolation. Example 1.13 invokes this tradition: fortune’s tides, having ebbed, may yet flow backe.
The Irrecoverable Past: Protestant theology emphasized the singularity of life’s choices; unlike Catholic penance, there could be no calling backe of mortal sin without genuine transformation. Secular wisdom echoed this: Example 1.11’s assertion that “we cannot fetch backe time that is past” reflects a culture acutely aware that some losses permit no restoration.
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From Shakespeare’s Works:
Richard II (Act III, Scene 2):
“O, call backe yesterday, bid time returne”
Here, King Richard, facing his realm’s collapse, invokes the impossibility of reversal. The desperate wish to call backe time exemplifies the word’s metaphorical power.
Macbeth (Act III, Scene 4):
“I am in blood / Stepp’d in so farre, that should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as goe o’re.”
Though backe does not appear explicitly, the concept of impossible return pervades: Macbeth recognizes he cannot go backe.
The Tempest (Act V, Scene 1):
“Let them be hunted soundly. At this houre / Lies at my mercy all mine enemies. / Shortly shall all my labours end, and thou / Shalt have the aire at freedome: for a little / Follow, and doe me service.” [Exit ARIEL]
The movement toward resolution involves characters coming backe—to themselves, to sanity, to proper relationship.
Period Proverb:
“Call not backe tomorrow what today thou mayst dispatch.”
This maxim, reflecting the carpe diem spirit of the age, warns against delay by invoking the impossibility of temporal retrieval.
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A Messenger’s Tale: Being an Account of Service to Lord Westford during the Northern Campaign
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text (Examples 16-30)
1.16a When first I was sent backe from the warres, I knew not what reception awaited. 1.16b When /ʍɛn/ when first /fɪrst/ first I /əɪ/ I was /waz/ was sent /sɛnt/ sent backe /bak/ back from /frɒm/ from the /ðə/ the warres /wɔrz/ wars I /əɪ/ I knew /njuː/ knew not /nɒt/ not what /ʍat/ what reception /rɪˈsɛpsɪən/ reception awaited /əˈwɛːtɪd/ awaited
1.17a The Lord commanded me to carry backe his answere to the Generall with all speede. 1.17b The /ðə/ the Lord /lɔrd/ lord commanded /kəˈmandɪd/ commanded me /meː/ me to /tʊ/ to carry /ˈkarɪ/ carry backe /bak/ back his /hɪz/ his answere /ˈansər/ answer to /tʊ/ to the /ðə/ the Generall /ˈdʒɛnərəl/ general with /wɪð/ with all /ɔːl/ all speede /speːd/ speed
1.18a “Tell them,” quoth he, “we shall not give backe one foot of English soyle.” 1.18b Tell /tɛl/ tell-IMP them /ðɛm/ them quoth /kwoːθ/ said he /heː/ he we /weː/ we shall /ʃal/ shall not /nɒt/ not give /gɪv/ give backe /bak/ back one /wʊn/ one foot /fʊt/ foot of /ɒv/ of English /ˈɪŋglɪʃ/ English soyle /sɔɪl/ soil
1.19a I rode backe through the darke forrest, where every shadowe seemed an enemie. 1.19b I /əɪ/ I rode /roːd/ rode backe /bak/ back through /θruː/ through the /ðə/ the darke /dark/ dark forrest /ˈfɒrɪst/ forest where /ʍɛːr/ where every /ˈɛvrɪ/ every shadowe /ˈʃadoː/ shadow seemed /seːmd/ seemed an /an/ an enemie /ˈɛnəmɪ/ enemy
1.20a Twice I thought to turne backe, fearing ambushment upon the roade. 1.20b Twice /twəɪs/ twice I /əɪ/ I thought /θɔːçt/ thought to /tʊ/ to turne /tʊrn/ turn backe /bak/ back fearing /ˈfɪərɪŋ/ fearing ambushment /ˈambʊʃmənt/ ambush upon /əˈpɒn/ upon the /ðə/ the roade /roːd/ road
1.21a Yet honour drove me forward when feare would have pulled me backe. 1.21b Yet /jɛt/ yet honour /ˈɒnər/ honour drove /droːv/ drove me /meː/ me forward /ˈfɔrwərd/ forward when /ʍɛn/ when feare /fɪːr/ fear would /wʊd/ would have /hav/ have pulled /pʊld/ pulled me /meː/ me backe /bak/ back
1.22a By morning’s light I came backe to the campe, weary but whole. 1.22b By /bəɪ/ by morning’s /ˈmɔrnɪŋz/ morning’s light /ləɪçt/ light I /əɪ/ I came /kaːm/ came backe /bak/ back to /tʊ/ to the /ðə/ the campe /kamp/ camp weary /ˈwɪːrɪ/ weary but /bʊt/ but whole /hoːl/ whole
1.23a The Generall read the message and threw it backe upon the table in rage. 1.23b The /ðə/ the Generall /ˈdʒɛnərəl/ general read /rɛːd/ read the /ðə/ the message /ˈmɛsɪdʒ/ message and /and/ and threw /θruː/ threw it /ɪt/ it backe /bak/ back upon /əˈpɒn/ upon the /ðə/ the table /ˈtaːbl/ table in /ɪn/ in rage /raːdʒ/ rage
1.24a “Westford thinks to hold us backe with brave wordes,” said he, “but wordes buy not victorie.” 1.24b Westford /ˈwɛstfərd/ Westford thinks /θɪŋks/ thinks to /tʊ/ to hold /hoːld/ hold us /ʊs/ us backe /bak/ back with /wɪð/ with brave /braːv/ brave wordes /wʊrdz/ words said /sɛːd/ said he /heː/ he but /bʊt/ but wordes /wʊrdz/ words buy /bəɪ/ buy not /nɒt/ not victorie /ˈvɪktərɪ/ victory
1.25a He sent me backe with yet another dispatch, sealed with the Kinges armes. 1.25b He /heː/ he sent /sɛnt/ sent me /meː/ me backe /bak/ back with /wɪð/ with yet /jɛt/ yet another /əˈnʊðər/ another dispatch /dɪsˈpatʃ/ dispatch sealed /seːld/ sealed with /wɪð/ with the /ðə/ the Kinges /kɪŋz/ king’s armes /armz/ arms
1.26a When I rode backe the third time, winter had set in, and the wayes were foule with mudde. 1.26b When /ʍɛn/ when I /əɪ/ I rode /roːd/ rode backe /bak/ back the /ðə/ the third /θɪrd/ third time /təɪm/ time winter /ˈwɪntər/ winter had /had/ had set /sɛt/ set in /ɪn/ in and /and/ and the /ðə/ the wayes /wɛːz/ ways were /wɛːr/ were foule /faʊl/ foul with /wɪð/ with mudde /mʊd/ mud
1.27a I thought backe upon my comfortable lodgings in London and cursed my fortune. 1.27b I /əɪ/ I thought /θɔːçt/ thought backe /bak/ back upon /əˈpɒn/ upon my /məɪ/ my comfortable /ˈkʊmfərtəbl/ comfortable lodgings /ˈlɒdʒɪŋz/ lodgings in /ɪn/ in London /ˈlʊndən/ London and /and/ and cursed /kɜrst/ cursed my /məɪ/ my fortune /ˈfɔrtʃən/ fortune
1.28a At the castle gate, the guard called backe to his captaine that a messenger had arrived. 1.28b At /at/ at the /ðə/ the castle /ˈkasl/ castle gate /gaːt/ gate the /ðə/ the guard /gard/ guard called /kɔːld/ called backe /bak/ back to /tʊ/ to his /hɪz/ his captaine /ˈkaptən/ captain that /ðat/ that a /a/ a messenger /ˈmɛsəndʒər/ messenger had /had/ had arrived /əˈrəɪvd/ arrived
1.29a Lord Westford received me kindly and bade me rest, saying the answere could waite till I had eaten and slept backe my strength. 1.29b Lord /lɔrd/ lord Westford /ˈwɛstfərd/ Westford received /rɪˈseːvd/ received me /meː/ me kindly /ˈkəɪndlɪ/ kindly and /and/ and bade /baːd/ bade me /meː/ me rest /rɛst/ rest saying /ˈsɛːɪŋ/ saying the /ðə/ the answere /ˈansər/ answer could /kʊd/ could waite /wɛːt/ wait till /tɪl/ until I /əɪ/ I had /had/ had eaten /ˈɛːtn/ eaten and /and/ and slept /slɛpt/ slept backe /bak/ back my /məɪ/ my strength /strɛŋθ/ strength
1.30a Now when I looke backe upon those dayes, I see that Fortune favoured me more than I knew, for many that rode those roades came not backe at all. 1.30b Now /naʊ/ now when /ʍɛn/ when I /əɪ/ I looke /lʊːk/ look backe /bak/ back upon /əˈpɒn/ upon those /ðoːz/ those dayes /dɛːz/ days I /əɪ/ I see /seː/ see that /ðat/ that Fortune /ˈfɔrtʃən/ Fortune favoured /ˈfaːvərd/ favoured me /meː/ me more /mɔːr/ more than /ðan/ than I /əɪ/ I knew /njuː/ knew for /fɔr/ for many /ˈmɛnɪ/ many that /ðat/ that rode /roːd/ rode those /ðoːz/ those roades /roːdz/ roads came /kaːm/ came not /nɒt/ not backe /bak/ back at /at/ at all /ɔːl/ all
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Part B: Natural Sentences
1.16 When first I was sent backe from the warres, I knew not what reception awaited. When I was first sent back from the wars, I did not know what reception awaited me.
1.17 The Lord commanded me to carry backe his answere to the Generall with all speede. The Lord commanded me to carry back his answer to the General with all speed.
1.18 “Tell them,” quoth he, “we shall not give backe one foot of English soyle.” “Tell them,” he said, “we shall not give back one foot of English soil.”
1.19 I rode backe through the darke forrest, where every shadowe seemed an enemie. I rode back through the dark forest, where every shadow seemed an enemy.
1.20 Twice I thought to turne backe, fearing ambushment upon the roade. Twice I thought to turn back, fearing an ambush upon the road.
1.21 Yet honour drove me forward when feare would have pulled me backe. Yet honour drove me forward when fear would have pulled me back.
1.22 By morning’s light I came backe to the campe, weary but whole. By morning light I came back to the camp, weary but unharmed.
1.23 The Generall read the message and threw it backe upon the table in rage. The General read the message and threw it back upon the table in rage.
1.24 “Westford thinks to hold us backe with brave wordes,” said he, “but wordes buy not victorie.” “Westford thinks to hold us back with brave words,” he said, “but words do not buy victory.”
1.25 He sent me backe with yet another dispatch, sealed with the Kinges armes. He sent me back with yet another dispatch, sealed with the King’s arms.
1.26 When I rode backe the third time, winter had set in, and the wayes were foule with mudde. When I rode back the third time, winter had set in, and the roads were foul with mud.
1.27 I thought backe upon my comfortable lodgings in London and cursed my fortune. I thought back upon my comfortable lodgings in London and cursed my fortune.
1.28 At the castle gate, the guard called backe to his captaine that a messenger had arrived. At the castle gate, the guard called back to his captain that a messenger had arrived.
1.29 Lord Westford received me kindly and bade me rest, saying the answere could waite till I had eaten and slept backe my strength. Lord Westford received me kindly and bade me rest, saying the answer could wait until I had eaten and slept back my strength.
1.30 Now when I looke backe upon those dayes, I see that Fortune favoured me more than I knew, for many that rode those roades came not backe at all. Now when I look back upon those days, I see that Fortune favoured me more than I knew, for many who rode those roads did not come back at all.
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Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
1.16 When first I was sent backe from the warres, I knew not what reception awaited.
1.17 The Lord commanded me to carry backe his answere to the Generall with all speede.
1.18 “Tell them,” quoth he, “we shall not give backe one foot of English soyle.”
1.19 I rode backe through the darke forrest, where every shadowe seemed an enemie.
1.20 Twice I thought to turne backe, fearing ambushment upon the roade.
1.21 Yet honour drove me forward when feare would have pulled me backe.
1.22 By morning’s light I came backe to the campe, weary but whole.
1.23 The Generall read the message and threw it backe upon the table in rage.
1.24 “Westford thinks to hold us backe with brave wordes,” said he, “but wordes buy not victorie.”
1.25 He sent me backe with yet another dispatch, sealed with the Kinges armes.
1.26 When I rode backe the third time, winter had set in, and the wayes were foule with mudde.
1.27 I thought backe upon my comfortable lodgings in London and cursed my fortune.
1.28 At the castle gate, the guard called backe to his captaine that a messenger had arrived.
1.29 Lord Westford received me kindly and bade me rest, saying the answere could waite till I had eaten and slept backe my strength.
1.30 Now when I looke backe upon those dayes, I see that Fortune favoured me more than I knew, for many that rode those roades came not backe at all.
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Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
1. Narrative Use of “Backe”
The genre section demonstrates backe in connected narrative discourse, where it serves multiple functions: -
Literal motion: rode backe, came backe, sent backe (Examples 1.16, 1.17, 1.19, 1.22, 1.25, 1.26) -
Metaphorical reflection: thought backe, looke backe (Examples 1.27, 1.30) -
Resistance/opposition: hold us backe, pulled me backe (Examples 1.21, 1.24) -
Return of objects: threw it backe, give backe (Examples 1.18, 1.23) -
Communication: called backe (Example 1.28) -
Recovery: slept backe my strength (Example 1.29)
2. Verb Aspect and “Backe”
Note how backe combines with different verb aspects: -
Simple past: rode backe, came backe, threw backe -
Past perfect: had pulled me backe (hypothetical in conditional) -
Infinitive purpose: to turne backe, to carry backe, to hold us backe
3. The “-tion” Suffix in Context
Example 1.16 contains reception /rɪˈsɛpsɪən/, demonstrating the period pronunciation where -tion was rendered /sɪən/ rather than modern /ʃən/. This fuller articulation would have been natural to Elizabethan speakers and is essential for authentic period reading.
4. Period Spelling Conventions
The narrative preserves authentic orthographic features: warres (wars), darke (dark), roade (road), wayes (ways), dayes (days), soyle (soil), mudde (mud), captaine (captain). These spellings reflect pre-standardization orthography where silent -e proliferated and double consonants appeared more freely.
5. “Quoth” vs. “Said”
Example 1.18 uses quoth /kwoːθ/, the archaic past tense of “say” reserved for direct quotation. This verb survives today only in the phrase “quoth the raven” from Poe. Elizabethan writers used both quoth and said for quotation frames.
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This Elizabethan English course follows the Latinum Institute methodology, developed since 2006 for autodidactic language learners. The Institute has pioneered the interlinear construed text approach for historical languages, making complex linguistic material accessible without requiring a classroom setting.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Trustpilot Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The Latinum Method:
The interlinear construed text format presents each sentence twice: first with word-by-word pronunciation (IPA) and grammatical glossing, then as natural sentences with translations. This approach allows learners to: -
Understand every word’s pronunciation and grammatical function -
See authentic period syntax without artificial simplification -
Build reading fluency through repeated exposure to natural constructions -
Learn vocabulary in meaningful contexts rather than isolation
Why Study Elizabethan English?
Early Modern English represents a crucial period in the language’s development. Shakespeare, Marlowe, Jonson, and the King James Bible translators crafted prose and verse that continues to shape English literature and rhetoric. Understanding their language in its original pronunciation opens new dimensions of wordplay, rhyme, and rhythm invisible to modern readers.
Period Pronunciation:
This course emphasizes Original Pronunciation (OP), the reconstructed sound system of Shakespeare’s era. Key features include the -tion suffix as /sɪən/, rhotic ‘r’ in all positions, and vowel values still transitioning from Middle English. These pronunciations restore rhymes, puns, and metrical patterns that modern pronunciation obscures.
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Lesson 055 Complete
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