Welcome to Lesson 60 of the Latinum Institute Elizabethan English course, where we explore the verb worke (modern “work”). This fundamental verb of action permeates Shakespeare’s plays and the broader literature of the English Renaissance, appearing in contexts ranging from physical labour to the subtle machinations of plotters and the mysterious operations of fate.
In Early Modern English (c. 1500–1700), worke carried a richer semantic field than its modern descendant. Beyond mere employment or labour, it encompassed the workings of the mind, the operations of nature, the effects of medicines and poisons, and the subtle influence of one will upon another. When Iago speaks of working upon Othello’s jealousy, or when the Witches’ prophecies work upon Macbeth’s ambition, we encounter the verb in its full psychological and almost magical potency.
Pronunciation Note for Autodidacts: This course employs reconstructed Original Pronunciation (OP) following the research of David Crystal and the practices of Shakespeare’s Globe. Key features include: -
The suffix -tion pronounced as two syllables /ti.ən/ or /si.ən/, not modern /ʃən/ -
More rhotic (r-ful) pronunciation throughout -
Vowels at intermediate stages of the Great Vowel Shift -
The word work itself pronounced /wɛrk/ with a clear, rounded vowel
FAQ: What does “worke” mean in Elizabethan English? The Elizabethan verb “worke” means to labour, to function, to operate, to produce effects, or to accomplish. It conjugates as: I worke, thou workest, he worketh (or works), we/ye/they worke. The past tense is “wrought” (strong form) or “worked” (weak form).
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Key Takeaways: -
Worke functions as both a transitive and intransitive verb -
The third person singular takes -eth (formal/archaic) or -s (colloquial) -
Second person singular with thou requires -est: thou workest -
The past participle wrought survives in modern “overwrought” -
In Elizabethan usage, worke often implies subtle influence or machination
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60.1a The smith doth worke the iron well 60.1b The (/ðə/) the smith (/smɪθ/) blacksmith doth (/dʌθ/) does worke (/wɛrk/) work the (/ðə/) the iron (/ˈaɪ.ərn/) iron well (/wɛl/) well
60.2a Thou workest too hard this day 60.2b Thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM workest (/ˈwɛr.kɪst/) work-2SG too (/tuː/) too hard (/hɑrd/) hard this (/ðɪs/) this day (/deɪ/) day
60.3a He worketh in the field 60.3b He (/hiː/) he worketh (/ˈwɛr.kəθ/) works-3SG in (/ɪn/) in the (/ðə/) the field (/fiːld/) field
60.4a Worke not upon the Sabbath 60.4b Worke (/wɛrk/) work-IMP not (/nɒt/) not upon (/əˈpɒn/) upon the (/ðə/) the Sabbath (/ˈsæ.bəθ/) Sabbath
60.5a The potion doth worke swiftly 60.5b The (/ðə/) the potion (/ˈpoː.ti.ən/) potion doth (/dʌθ/) does worke (/wɛrk/) work swiftly (/ˈswɪft.li/) swiftly
60.6a Mine hands have wrought this tapestry with care 60.6b Mine (/maɪn/) my hands (/hændz/) hands have (/hæv/) have wrought (/rɔːt/) worked-PTCP this (/ðɪs/) this tapestry (/ˈtæ.pɪs.tri/) tapestry with (/wɪð/) with care (/kɛːr/) care
60.7a What mischief workes thy subtle tongue 60.7b What (/ʍɒt/) what mischief (/ˈmɪs.tʃiːf/) mischief workes (/wɛrks/) works thy (/ðaɪ/) your-FAM subtle (/ˈsʌ.tl̩/) subtle tongue (/tʌŋ/) tongue
60.8a The servants worke from dawn till dusk 60.8b The (/ðə/) the servants (/ˈsɛr.vənts/) servants worke (/wɛrk/) work from (/frʌm/) from dawn (/dɔːn/) dawn till (/tɪl/) until dusk (/dʌsk/) dusk
60.9a His jealousy doth worke upon his reason 60.9b His (/hɪz/) his jealousy (/ˈdʒɛ.lə.si/) jealousy doth (/dʌθ/) does worke (/wɛrk/) work upon (/əˈpɒn/) upon his (/hɪz/) his reason (/ˈriː.zən/) reason
60.10a The physick worketh well upon the patient 60.10b The (/ðə/) the physick (/ˈfɪ.zɪk/) medicine worketh (/ˈwɛr.kəθ/) works-3SG well (/wɛl/) well upon (/əˈpɒn/) upon the (/ðə/) the patient (/ˈpeɪ.ʃi.ənt/) patient
60.11a Time shall worke its changes upon all mortal things 60.11b Time (/taɪm/) time shall (/ʃæl/) shall worke (/wɛrk/) work its (/ɪts/) its changes (/ˈtʃeɪn.dʒɪz/) changes upon (/əˈpɒn/) upon all (/ɔːl/) all mortal (/ˈmɔːr.təl/) mortal things (/θɪŋz/) things
60.12a Canst thou worke such wonders with thine arte 60.12b Canst (/kænst/) can-2SG thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM worke (/wɛrk/) work such (/sʌtʃ/) such wonders (/ˈwʌn.dərz/) wonders with (/wɪð/) with thine (/ðaɪn/) your-FAM arte (/ɑːrt/) art
60.13a The traitor worketh secretly against the crown 60.13b The (/ðə/) the traitor (/ˈtreɪ.tər/) traitor worketh (/ˈwɛr.kəθ/) works-3SG secretly (/ˈsiː.krɪt.li/) secretly against (/əˈgeɪnst/) against the (/ðə/) the crown (/kraʊn/) crown
60.14a Ambition doth worke like poison in the blood 60.14b Ambition (/æmˈbɪ.ʃi.ən/) ambition doth (/dʌθ/) does worke (/wɛrk/) work like (/laɪk/) like poison (/ˈpɔɪ.zən/) poison in (/ɪn/) in the (/ðə/) the blood (/blʌd/) blood
60.15a Let us worke together for the common weale 60.15b Let (/lɛt/) let us (/ʌs/) us worke (/wɛrk/) work together (/təˈgɛ.ðər/) together for (/fɔːr/) for the (/ðə/) the common (/ˈkɒ.mən/) common weale (/wiːl/) welfare
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60.1 The smith doth worke the iron well. “The blacksmith works the iron well.”
60.2 Thou workest too hard this day. “You are working too hard today.”
60.3 He worketh in the field. “He works in the field.”
60.4 Worke not upon the Sabbath. “Do not work on the Sabbath.”
60.5 The potion doth worke swiftly. “The potion works quickly.”
60.6 Mine hands have wrought this tapestry with care. “My hands have worked this tapestry with care.”
60.7 What mischief workes thy subtle tongue? “What mischief does your cunning tongue accomplish?”
60.8 The servants worke from dawn till dusk. “The servants work from dawn until dusk.”
60.9 His jealousy doth worke upon his reason. “His jealousy operates upon his judgment.”
60.10 The physick worketh well upon the patient. “The medicine works well on the patient.”
60.11 Time shall worke its changes upon all mortal things. “Time will work its changes upon all things subject to death.”
60.12 Canst thou worke such wonders with thine arte? “Can you accomplish such marvels with your craft?”
60.13 The traitor worketh secretly against the crown. “The traitor works secretly against the monarchy.”
60.14 Ambition doth worke like poison in the blood. “Ambition operates like poison in the blood.”
60.15 Let us worke together for the common weale. “Let us work together for the public good.”
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60.1 The smith doth worke the iron well.
60.2 Thou workest too hard this day.
60.3 He worketh in the field.
60.4 Worke not upon the Sabbath.
60.5 The potion doth worke swiftly.
60.6 Mine hands have wrought this tapestry with care.
60.7 What mischief workes thy subtle tongue?
60.8 The servants worke from dawn till dusk.
60.9 His jealousy doth worke upon his reason.
60.10 The physick worketh well upon the patient.
60.11 Time shall worke its changes upon all mortal things.
60.12 Canst thou worke such wonders with thine arte?
60.13 The traitor worketh secretly against the crown.
60.14 Ambition doth worke like poison in the blood.
60.15 Let us worke together for the common weale.
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These are the grammar rules for “worke” in Elizabethan English:
Conjugation of WORKE in the Present Tense
The verb worke follows the standard Elizabethan conjugation pattern for regular verbs, with the notable feature of retaining the older -eth ending alongside the emerging -es/-s form.
In the first person singular, one says I worke (/aɪ wɛrk/). The second person singular familiar requires the -est suffix: thou workest (/ðaʊ ˈwɛr.kɪst/). Note that this form is used only with thou, the intimate or informal second person pronoun. The third person singular takes either -eth or -es: he/she/it worketh (/ˈwɛr.kəθ/) in formal or poetic contexts, or workes (/wɛrks/) in everyday speech.
The plural forms are identical across all persons: we worke, ye worke (or you worke), and they worke. The form ye represents the nominative plural, while you was originally the objective case, though by Shakespeare’s time the two had begun to merge.
The Past Tense and Past Participle
Elizabethan English preserved both the strong (Germanic) and weak past forms. The strong past participle wrought (/rɔːt/) appears in elevated or literary contexts: “What hath God wrought?” The weak forms worked or work’d appear in more colloquial usage. In verse, the contracted work’d (/wɛrkt/) maintains the syllable count where needed.
The Auxiliary DOE/DOTH
The auxiliary verb doe (doth, did) performs several functions in Elizabethan English beyond modern usage. It provides emphasis (”He doth worke hard”), enables questions (”Doth he worke?”), and creates negation (”He doth not worke”). The third person singular doth (/dʌθ/) appears frequently in elevated prose and verse.
Pronunciation Notes on the -TION Suffix
A critical feature of Original Pronunciation is the treatment of the -tion suffix. Words like potion, ambition, and action were pronounced as two syllables: po-ti-on (/ˈpoː.ti.ən/), am-bi-shi-on (/æmˈbɪ.ʃi.ən/), ac-ti-on (/ˈæk.ti.ən/). This affects scansion in verse, where such words contribute three syllables rather than the modern two.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many modern speakers incorrectly treat thou as more formal than you—the opposite is true. Thou was intimate, familiar, or condescending; you showed respect and distance. One would address a servant as thou but a nobleman as you.
Another error involves over-using -eth endings. By Shakespeare’s time, -es/-s was already common in speech, with -eth preserved mainly in formal registers, religious contexts, and poetry for metrical purposes.
The Verb WORKE in Idiomatic Expressions
The phrase to worke upon means to influence or manipulate: “The wine doth worke upon his wits.” To worke out means to accomplish or bring about: “Time shall worke out all truths.” The noun worke (or works) could mean a fortification, as in workes of defence.
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The Concept of Work in Elizabethan Society
Elizabethan England maintained a rigidly hierarchical view of labour and its place in society. The nobility did not “worke” in the manual sense—such activity was beneath their station. For gentlemen, acceptable occupations included military service, estate management, and service at court. The rising merchant class complicated this division, accumulating wealth through trade while remaining socially inferior to impoverished nobles.
For the common people, work was inseparable from religious duty. The Protestant work ethic, reinforced by Reformation theology, held that diligent labour in one’s calling glorified God. Idleness was both a sin and, increasingly, a crime—the Elizabethan Poor Laws punished “sturdy beggars” capable of work who refused to do so.
Worke and Social Control
The concept of working upon someone—influencing their mind or emotions—appears frequently in Shakespeare’s villains. Iago boasts of working upon Othello; Richard III works upon Lady Anne’s grief. This psychological sense of worke reflects Renaissance interest in rhetoric, persuasion, and the passions. To work upon another was to practice a kind of mental alchemy, transforming their emotional state.
Regional Variations
Pronunciation of worke varied regionally. Northern dialects preserved older vowel sounds, while London speech was already shifting toward modern forms. The spelling worke (with final -e) reflects a transitional orthography; the silent -e was becoming standardized but its phonetic value had largely disappeared from most dialects by the late sixteenth century.
The Wrought/Worked Distinction
The strong past participle wrought carried associations of craftsmanship and deliberate shaping. One might say “The goldsmith hath wrought this chain” but “The servant worked all day.” Wrought implied artistry; worked implied mere labour. This distinction survives in modern compounds like wrought iron and the adjective overwrought (overworked emotionally).
Proverbial Expressions
Several Elizabethan proverbs featured worke: “All worke and no play makes Jack a dull boy” already circulated in some form. “The Devil finds worke for idle hands” reflected Protestant anxieties about idleness. “Many hands make light worke” appeared in John Heywood’s 1546 collection of proverbs.
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From William Shakespeare’s Othello, Act II, Scene III (c. 1603)
In this passage, Iago reveals his manipulative intentions, using worke in its psychological sense of operating upon another’s mind. Note how the verb carries connotations of subtle craft and malicious design.
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
F.1a I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin F.1b I (/aɪ/) I will (/wɪl/) will in (/ɪn/) in Cassio’s (/ˈkæ.si.oʊz/) Cassio’s-POSS lodging (/ˈlɒ.dʒɪŋ/) lodging lose (/luːz/) leave this (/ðɪs/) this napkin (/ˈnæp.kɪn/) handkerchief
F.2a And let him find it F.2b And (/ænd/) and let (/lɛt/) let him (/hɪm/) him find (/faɪnd/) find it (/ɪt/) it
F.3a Trifles light as air F.3b Trifles (/ˈtraɪ.fl̩z/) trifles light (/laɪt/) light as (/æz/) as air (/ɛːr/) air
F.4a Are to the jealous confirmations strong F.4b Are (/ɑːr/) are to (/tuː/) to the (/ðə/) the jealous (/ˈdʒɛ.ləs/) jealous confirmations (/ˌkɒn.fərˈmeɪ.ʃi.ənz/) confirmations strong (/strɒŋ/) strong
F.5a As proofs of holy writ F.5b As (/æz/) as proofs (/pruːfs/) proofs of (/ɒv/) of holy (/ˈhoʊ.li/) holy writ (/rɪt/) scripture
F.6a This may do something F.6b This (/ðɪs/) this may (/meɪ/) may do (/duː/) do something (/ˈsʌm.θɪŋ/) something
F.7a The Moor already changes with my poison F.7b The (/ðə/) the Moor (/mʊːr/) Moor already (/ɔːlˈrɛ.di/) already changes (/ˈtʃeɪn.dʒɪz/) changes with (/wɪð/) with my (/maɪ/) my poison (/ˈpɔɪ.zən/) poison
F.8a Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons F.8b Dangerous (/ˈdeɪn.dʒə.rəs/) dangerous conceits (/kənˈsiːts/) notions are (/ɑːr/) are in (/ɪn/) in their (/ðɛːr/) their natures (/ˈneɪ.tʃərz/) natures poisons (/ˈpɔɪ.zənz/) poisons
F.9a Which at the first are scarce found to distaste F.9b Which (/ʍɪtʃ/) which at (/æt/) at the (/ðə/) the first (/fɛrst/) first are (/ɑːr/) are scarce (/skɛːrs/) scarcely found (/faʊnd/) found to (/tuː/) to distaste (/dɪsˈteɪst/) taste-foul
F.10a But with a little act upon the blood F.10b But (/bʌt/) but with (/wɪð/) with a (/ə/) a little (/ˈlɪ.tl̩/) little act (/ækt/) action upon (/əˈpɒn/) upon the (/ðə/) the blood (/blʌd/) blood
F.11a Burn like the mines of sulphur F.11b Burn (/bɛrn/) burn like (/laɪk/) like the (/ðə/) the mines (/maɪnz/) mines of (/ɒv/) of sulphur (/ˈsʌl.fər/) sulphur
F.12a I did say so F.12b I (/aɪ/) I did (/dɪd/) did say (/seɪ/) say so (/soʊ/) so
F.13a Look where he comes F.13b Look (/lʊk/) look where (/ʍɛːr/) where he (/hiː/) he comes (/kʌmz/) comes
F.14a Not poppy nor mandragora F.14b Not (/nɒt/) not poppy (/ˈpɒ.pi/) poppy nor (/nɔːr/) nor mandragora (/mænˈdræ.gə.rə/) mandrake
F.15a Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world F.15b Nor (/nɔːr/) nor all (/ɔːl/) all the (/ðə/) the drowsy (/ˈdraʊ.zi/) drowsy syrups (/ˈsɪ.rəps/) syrups of (/ɒv/) of the (/ðə/) the world (/wɛrld/) world
F.16a Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep F.16b Shall (/ʃæl/) shall ever (/ˈɛ.vər/) ever medicine (/ˈmɛ.dɪ.sɪn/) medicine-VB thee (/ðiː/) you-OBJ to (/tuː/) to that (/ðæt/) that sweet (/swiːt/) sweet sleep (/sliːp/) sleep
F.17a Which thou owedst yesterday F.17b Which (/ʍɪtʃ/) which thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM owedst (/ˈoʊ.ɪdst/) owed-2SG yesterday (/ˈjɛs.tər.deɪ/) yesterday
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin, And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. This may do something. The Moor already changes with my poison: Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons, Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood, Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so: Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou owedst yesterday.
“I will leave this handkerchief in Cassio’s quarters and let him find it. Things as insubstantial as air serve as powerful confirmation to the jealous—as convincing as scriptural proof. This may accomplish something. The Moor already transforms under my poison: dangerous ideas are poisonous in their nature, which at first are barely detectable as unpleasant, but with just a little working upon the blood, they burn like sulphur mines. I said as much: look, here he comes! Neither opium, nor mandrake, nor all the sedative potions of the world shall ever restore you to that peaceful sleep you enjoyed yesterday.”
F-C: Original Text Only
I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin, And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. This may do something. The Moor already changes with my poison: Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons, Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood, Burn like the mines of sulphur. I did say so: Look, where he comes! Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou owedst yesterday.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage illustrates how worke (and its near-synonym act) functions in psychological contexts. The phrase “with a little act upon the blood” echoes the construction “worke upon,” meaning to exert influence. Iago’s poison metaphor shows how suspicion, once planted, works transformatively in the mind.
Note confirmations pronounced with four syllables (/ˌkɒn.fərˈmeɪ.ʃi.ənz/), reflecting the period treatment of -tion. Similarly mandragora receives its full classical syllabification.
The verb medicine is used transitively: “medicine thee” = “administer medicine to you,” showing the Elizabethan practice of verbing nouns. The archaic owedst reflects the second person singular past with thou.
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In this dramatic monologue, a master weaver addresses his apprentice about the nature of honest work, demonstrating the verb “worke” in contexts of craft, trade, and moral instruction.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
60.16a Come hither boy and marke how I do worke 60.16b Come (/kʌm/) come hither (/ˈhɪ.ðər/) here boy (/bɔɪ/) boy and (/ænd/) and marke (/mɑːrk/) observe how (/haʊ/) how I (/aɪ/) I do (/duː/) do worke (/wɛrk/) work
60.17a This loom hath served my father and his father both 60.17b This (/ðɪs/) this loom (/luːm/) loom hath (/hæθ/) has served (/sɛrvd/) served my (/maɪ/) my father (/ˈfɑː.ðər/) father and (/ænd/) and his (/hɪz/) his father (/ˈfɑː.ðər/) father both (/boʊθ/) both
60.18a See how the shuttle worketh to and fro 60.18b See (/siː/) see how (/haʊ/) how the (/ðə/) the shuttle (/ˈʃʌ.tl̩/) shuttle worketh (/ˈwɛr.kəθ/) works-3SG to (/tuː/) to and (/ænd/) and fro (/froʊ/) fro
60.19a Each thread I worke with patient hand 60.19b Each (/iːtʃ/) each thread (/θrɛd/) thread I (/aɪ/) I worke (/wɛrk/) work with (/wɪð/) with patient (/ˈpeɪ.ʃi.ənt/) patient hand (/hænd/) hand
60.20a Thy grandsire wrought the cloths that kings did wear 60.20b Thy (/ðaɪ/) your-FAM grandsire (/ˈgrænd.saɪər/) grandfather wrought (/rɔːt/) wrought the (/ðə/) the cloths (/klɒθs/) cloths that (/ðæt/) that kings (/kɪŋz/) kings did (/dɪd/) did wear (/wɛːr/) wear
60.21a The worke of honest hands outlives the workman 60.21b The (/ðə/) the worke (/wɛrk/) work-NOUN of (/ɒv/) of honest (/ˈɒ.nɪst/) honest hands (/hændz/) hands outlives (/aʊtˈlɪvz/) outlives the (/ðə/) the workman (/ˈwɛrk.mən/) workman
60.22a Dost thou see how the pattern worketh out 60.22b Dost (/dʌst/) do-2SG thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM see (/siː/) see how (/haʊ/) how the (/ðə/) the pattern (/ˈpæ.tərn/) pattern worketh (/ˈwɛr.kəθ/) works-3SG out (/aʊt/) out
60.23a Worke not in haste lest thou should err 60.23b Worke (/wɛrk/) work-IMP not (/nɒt/) not in (/ɪn/) in haste (/heɪst/) haste lest (/lɛst/) lest thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM should (/ʃʊd/) should err (/ɛr/) err
60.24a Time and attention worke the finest weave 60.24b Time (/taɪm/) time and (/ænd/) and attention (/əˈtɛn.ʃi.ən/) attention worke (/wɛrk/) work the (/ðə/) the finest (/ˈfaɪ.nɪst/) finest weave (/wiːv/) weave
60.25a When thou art master thou shalt worke alone 60.25b When (/ʍɛn/) when thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM art (/ɑːrt/) are-2SG master (/ˈmɑːs.tər/) master thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM shalt (/ʃælt/) shall-2SG worke (/wɛrk/) work alone (/əˈloʊn/) alone
60.26a But for now worke thou beside me and learn 60.26b But (/bʌt/) but for (/fɔːr/) for now (/naʊ/) now worke (/wɛrk/) work-IMP thou (/ðaʊ/) you-FAM beside (/bɪˈsaɪd/) beside me (/miː/) me and (/ænd/) and learn (/lɛrn/) learn
60.27a My hands worke slower now but surer still 60.27b My (/maɪ/) my hands (/hændz/) hands worke (/wɛrk/) work slower (/ˈsloʊ.ər/) slower now (/naʊ/) now but (/bʌt/) but surer (/ˈʃʊə.rər/) more-sure still (/stɪl/) still
60.28a A guild worketh best when masters teach their craft 60.28b A (/ə/) a guild (/gɪld/) guild worketh (/ˈwɛr.kəθ/) works-3SG best (/bɛst/) best when (/ʍɛn/) when masters (/ˈmɑːs.tərz/) masters teach (/tiːtʃ/) teach their (/ðɛːr/) their craft (/kræft/) craft
60.29a This worke shall be thine inheritance 60.29b This (/ðɪs/) this worke (/wɛrk/) work-NOUN shall (/ʃæl/) shall be (/biː/) be thine (/ðaɪn/) your-FAM inheritance (/ɪnˈhɛ.rɪ.təns/) inheritance
60.30a Worke well and God shall bless the labour of thy hands 60.30b Worke (/wɛrk/) work-IMP well (/wɛl/) well and (/ænd/) and God (/gɒd/) God shall (/ʃæl/) shall bless (/blɛs/) bless the (/ðə/) the labour (/ˈleɪ.bər/) labour of (/ɒv/) of thy (/ðaɪ/) your-FAM hands (/hændz/) hands
Part B: Natural Sentences
60.16 Come hither boy and marke how I do worke. “Come here, boy, and observe how I work.”
60.17 This loom hath served my father and his father both. “This loom has served both my father and his father.”
60.18 See how the shuttle worketh to and fro. “See how the shuttle works back and forth.”
60.19 Each thread I worke with patient hand. “I work each thread with a patient hand.”
60.20 Thy grandsire wrought the cloths that kings did wear. “Your grandfather made the fabrics that kings wore.”
60.21 The worke of honest hands outlives the workman. “The work of honest hands outlasts the craftsman.”
60.22 Dost thou see how the pattern worketh out? “Do you see how the pattern develops?”
60.23 Worke not in haste lest thou should err. “Do not work in haste lest you make mistakes.”
60.24 Time and attention worke the finest weave. “Time and attention produce the finest weave.”
60.25 When thou art master thou shalt worke alone. “When you are a master craftsman, you will work independently.”
60.26 But for now worke thou beside me and learn. “But for now, work beside me and learn.”
60.27 My hands worke slower now but surer still. “My hands work more slowly now, but more reliably.”
60.28 A guild worketh best when masters teach their craft. “A guild functions best when masters pass on their trade.”
60.29 This worke shall be thine inheritance. “This craft shall be your inheritance.”
60.30 Worke well and God shall bless the labour of thy hands. “Work diligently, and God will bless the labour of your hands.”
Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
60.16 Come hither boy and marke how I do worke.
60.17 This loom hath served my father and his father both.
60.18 See how the shuttle worketh to and fro.
60.19 Each thread I worke with patient hand.
60.20 Thy grandsire wrought the cloths that kings did wear.
60.21 The worke of honest hands outlives the workman.
60.22 Dost thou see how the pattern worketh out?
60.23 Worke not in haste lest thou should err.
60.24 Time and attention worke the finest weave.
60.25 When thou art master thou shalt worke alone.
60.26 But for now worke thou beside me and learn.
60.27 My hands worke slower now but surer still.
60.28 A guild worketh best when masters teach their craft.
60.29 This worke shall be thine inheritance.
60.30 Worke well and God shall bless the labour of thy hands.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This monologue demonstrates several key grammatical patterns with worke:
The verb appears in various constructions: simple present (”I do worke”), third person singular with -eth (”the shuttle worketh”), imperative (”Worke not”), and as a noun (”the worke,” “this worke”). Note how worke as a noun can mean both the activity and its product—the woven cloth itself.
The phrase “worketh out” (60.22) is a phrasal verb meaning “develops” or “emerges,” showing that phrasal verbs existed in Elizabethan English though in different forms than today.
Attention should be given to the pronoun usage: thou/thy/thee for the familiar address to an apprentice, with corresponding verb forms (workest, dost, art, shalt). The possessive thine appears before vowels (”thine inheritance”), while thy appears before consonants (”thy grandsire”).
The auxiliary do in “I do worke” and “kings did wear” provides emphasis rather than forming questions or negatives, a common Elizabethan usage now largely archaic except in emphatic contexts.
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Key Sounds for Original Pronunciation
The reconstruction of Early Modern English pronunciation relies on evidence from spelling variations, rhymes, puns, orthoepists’ descriptions, and comparative historical linguistics. The following guide assists autodidact learners in approximating Shakespearean pronunciation.
The Topic Word: WORKE -
Elizabethan: /wɛrk/ -
The vowel is open-mid front, similar to modern “bed” but with a clear rhotic /r/ -
The final -e is silent by this period
The -TION Suffix -
Elizabethan: /ti.ən/ or /ʃi.ən/ (two syllables) -
Modern: /ʃən/ (one syllable) -
Words like nation, potion, ambition require an extra syllable for period-accurate scansion -
Examples: action /ˈæk.ti.ən/, condition /kənˈdɪ.ʃi.ən/, ambition /æmˈbɪ.ʃi.ən/
Rhotic R -
All written rs were pronounced, unlike modern non-rhotic British English -
The sound was likely a tap or trill [ɾ] or [r] rather than modern approximant [ɹ]
The Great Vowel Shift (In Progress) -
Long /iː/ as in time was becoming /əɪ/ (still more centralized than modern /aɪ/) -
Long /uː/ as in house was becoming /əʊ/ (closer to modern Australian) -
Long /eː/ and /oː/ were raising toward modern values
WH- Words -
Where, what, when retained the voiceless /ʍ/ (like blowing out a candle) -
Contrast: witch /wɪtʃ/ vs. which /ʍɪtʃ/
TH- Sounds -
Remained as in modern English: the /ðə/, thin /θɪn/ -
Thou /ðaʊ/, thee /ðiː/, thy /ðaɪ/, thine /ðaɪn/
Common Pronunciation Errors for Modern Speakers -
Dropping the rhotic /r/ (non-rhotic habits) -
Reducing -tion to one syllable -
Using modern vowel values throughout -
Over-pronouncing silent letters (the final -e is silent)
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative language learning materials since 2006, employing interlinear construed text methodology refined through decades of experience with classical and modern languages. This Elizabethan English course applies the same autodidact-friendly approach to the language of Shakespeare, giving modern readers direct access to the pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary of English Renaissance literature.
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Why Study Elizabethan English?
Shakespeare’s works form the foundation of English literary culture, yet modern readers often struggle with unfamiliar vocabulary, grammar, and—when hearing performances—pronunciation that differs significantly from the original. This course addresses all three challenges through systematic vocabulary building, detailed grammatical explanation, and reconstructed Original Pronunciation (OP).
The 1000-Word Frequency Curriculum
This course follows a systematic progression through the most frequently used words in English, adapted for Elizabethan usage. By mastering high-frequency vocabulary in historical context, learners develop authentic reading fluency rather than merely recognizing isolated archaic terms.
The Construed Text Method
The interlinear format provides word-by-word glossing with IPA pronunciation, allowing learners to parse complex Elizabethan sentences without losing sight of the whole. This method—derived from traditional classical language pedagogy—respects the intelligence of adult learners while providing necessary support.
Original Pronunciation
All pronunciation guidance in this course follows the principles of Original Pronunciation as reconstructed by David Crystal, Ben Crystal, and scholars at Shakespeare’s Globe. This is not mere antiquarianism; OP restores rhymes, puns, and metrical patterns obscured by modern pronunciation.
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✓ Lesson 060 Elizabethan English complete
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