Welcome to the sixty-sixth lesson in the Latinum Institute’s Elizabethan English course, designed for autodidact learners seeking fluency in the language of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the King James Bible. This lesson focuses on these, the plural proximal demonstrative pronoun that indicates nearness to the speaker—contrasting with those for distant objects and this for singular proximity.
In Early Modern English, these functioned identically to its Modern English descendant, yet its pronunciation and the constructions surrounding it carried distinctly Elizabethan flavors. The demonstrative system remained robust from Middle English, with this/these for near deixis and that/those for far deixis forming a clean binary that Elizabethan writers exploited for dramatic effect.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “these” mean in Elizabethan English?
“These” in Elizabethan English functions as the plural proximal demonstrative pronoun, identical in meaning to modern usage. It indicates plural objects or persons near the speaker in space, time, or discourse. The word appears extensively throughout Shakespeare’s works, often in dramatic moments where characters gesture toward immediate circumstances, companions, or documents.
Pronunciation Note on Early Modern English:
Elizabethan pronunciation differs significantly from Received Pronunciation. Key features reflected in this lesson’s IPA transcriptions include: -
-tion/-sion suffixes pronounced as [tɪ.ən] or [sɪ.ən] (two syllables), not modern [ʃən] -
Rhotic R — the letter “r” is always pronounced, even in final position -
Great Vowel Shift in progress — long vowels had not yet completed their shift to modern values -
“These” itself pronounced approximately [ðeːz], with a longer, more open vowel than modern [ðiːz]
Key Takeaways: -
“These” functions as plural proximal demonstrative (near the speaker) -
Elizabethan pronunciation featured fuller syllables in -tion/-sion words -
The demonstrative system paired this/these (near) with that/those (far) -
Writers used “these” for dramatic immediacy and direct audience address -
Period pronunciation was rhotic—all r’s sounded
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1.1a These letters bear ill tidings. 1.1b These /ðeːz/ these letters /ˈlɛ.tərz/ letters bear /bɛːr/ carry ill /ɪl/ bad tidings /ˈtaɪ.dɪŋz/ news
1.2a These villains shall answer for their crimes. 1.2b These /ðeːz/ these villains /ˈvɪ.lənz/ scoundrels shall /ʃal/ shall answer /ˈan.swər/ answer for /fɔːr/ for their /ðɛːr/ their crimes /kraɪmz/ crimes
1.3a Mark well these words. 1.3b Mark /mark/ note well /wɛl/ well these /ðeːz/ these words /wʊrdz/ words
1.4a These eyes have seen much sorrow. 1.4b These /ðeːz/ these eyes /aɪz/ eyes have /hav/ have seen /seːn/ seen much /mʊtʃ/ much sorrow /ˈsɔ.roː/ grief
1.5a What say you to these accusations? 1.5b What /ʍat/ what say /sɛː/ say you /juː/ you to /tʊ/ to these /ðeːz/ these accusations /a.kju.ˈzeɪ.sɪ.ənz/ accusations
1.6a These gentlemen attend upon the Duke. 1.6b These /ðeːz/ these gentlemen /ˈdʒɛn.tl̩.mɛn/ gentlemen attend /a.ˈtɛnd/ wait upon /ʊ.ˈpɔn/ upon the /ðə/ the Duke /djuːk/ Duke
1.7a I would fain know the meaning of these strange apparitions. 1.7b I /aɪ/ I would /wʊd/ would fain /fɛːn/ gladly know /noː/ know the /ðə/ the meaning /ˈmeː.nɪŋ/ meaning of /ɔv/ of these /ðeːz/ these strange /streɪndʒ/ strange apparitions /a.pa.ˈrɪ.sɪ.ənz/ visions
1.8a These common players perform for penny-groundlings. 1.8b These /ðeːz/ these common /ˈkɔ.mən/ common players /ˈplɛː.ərz/ actors perform /pər.ˈfɔrm/ perform for /fɔːr/ for penny-groundlings /ˈpɛ.ni.ˈɡraʊnd.lɪŋz/ cheap-audience
1.9a Consider these propositions with care and deliberation. 1.9b Consider /kən.ˈsɪ.dər/ consider these /ðeːz/ these propositions /prɔ.pə.ˈzɪ.sɪ.ənz/ proposals with /wɪθ/ with care /kɛːr/ care and /and/ and deliberation /dɪ.lɪ.bə.ˈreɪ.sɪ.ən/ thought
1.10a These transformations have wrought marvellous alterations in mine own heart. 1.10b These /ðeːz/ these transformations /trans.fɔr.ˈmeɪ.sɪ.ənz/ changes have /hav/ have wrought /rɔːt/ worked marvellous /ˈmar.və.ləs/ wondrous alterations /ɔl.tə.ˈreɪ.sɪ.ənz/ changes in /ɪn/ in mine /maɪn/ my own /oːn/ own heart /hart/ heart
1.11a By these present letters patent, we do grant unto our faithful servant certain lands. 1.11b By /baɪ/ by these /ðeːz/ these present /ˈprɛ.zənt/ present letters /ˈlɛ.tərz/ letters patent /ˈpa.tənt/ patent we /weː/ we do /duː/ do grant /ɡrant/ grant unto /ʊn.ˈtuː/ unto our /aʊr/ our faithful /ˈfɛːθ.fʊl/ faithful servant /ˈsɛr.vənt/ servant certain /ˈsɛr.tən/ certain lands /landz/ lands
1.12a What devotions move these pilgrims to such dangerous peregrinations? 1.12b What /ʍat/ what devotions /dɪ.ˈvoː.sɪ.ənz/ devotions move /muːv/ move these /ðeːz/ these pilgrims /ˈpɪl.ɡrɪmz/ pilgrims to /tʊ/ to such /sʊtʃ/ such dangerous /ˈdɛːn.dʒə.rəs/ dangerous peregrinations /pɛ.rɪ.ɡrɪ.ˈneɪ.sɪ.ənz/ journeys
1.13a These suspicions have poisoned all affection between the noble houses. 1.13b These /ðeːz/ these suspicions /sʊs.ˈpɪ.sɪ.ənz/ suspicions have /hav/ have poisoned /ˈpɔɪ.zənd/ poisoned all /ɔːl/ all affection /a.ˈfɛk.sɪ.ən/ affection between /bɪ.ˈtwiːn/ between the /ðə/ the noble /ˈnoː.bl̩/ noble houses /ˈhaʊ.zɪz/ houses
1.14a Speak not to me of these abominations, for they offend mine ears exceedingly. 1.14b Speak /speːk/ speak not /nɔt/ not to /tʊ/ to me /meː/ me of /ɔv/ of these /ðeːz/ these abominations /a.bɔ.mɪ.ˈneɪ.sɪ.ənz/ abominations for /fɔːr/ for they /ðɛː/ they offend /ɔ.ˈfɛnd/ offend mine /maɪn/ my ears /ɪːrz/ ears exceedingly /ɛk.ˈseː.dɪŋ.li/ greatly
1.15a These machinations against the crown shall not go unpunished, by heaven’s righteous dispensation. 1.15b These /ðeːz/ these machinations /ma.kɪ.ˈneɪ.sɪ.ənz/ plots against /a.ˈɡɛnst/ against the /ðə/ the crown /kraʊn/ crown shall /ʃal/ shall not /nɔt/ not go /ɡoː/ go unpunished /ʊn.ˈpʊ.nɪʃt/ unpunished by /baɪ/ by heaven’s /ˈhɛ.vənz/ heaven’s righteous /ˈraɪ.tʃəs/ righteous dispensation /dɪs.pɛn.ˈseɪ.sɪ.ən/ judgment
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1.1 These letters bear ill tidings. These letters carry bad news.
1.2 These villains shall answer for their crimes. These scoundrels shall be held accountable for their wrongdoings.
1.3 Mark well these words. Pay careful attention to these words.
1.4 These eyes have seen much sorrow. These eyes have witnessed great grief.
1.5 What say you to these accusations? What is your response to these charges?
1.6 These gentlemen attend upon the Duke. These gentlemen wait upon the Duke.
1.7 I would fain know the meaning of these strange apparitions. I would gladly understand the meaning of these strange visions.
1.8 These common players perform for penny-groundlings. These ordinary actors perform for the cheap standing-audience.
1.9 Consider these propositions with care and deliberation. Think upon these proposals with care and thoughtfulness.
1.10 These transformations have wrought marvellous alterations in mine own heart. These changes have worked wondrous shifts in my own heart.
1.11 By these present letters patent, we do grant unto our faithful servant certain lands. By this official royal document, we hereby grant to our loyal servant specific lands.
1.12 What devotions move these pilgrims to such dangerous peregrinations? What religious commitments compel these pilgrims to such dangerous journeys?
1.13 These suspicions have poisoned all affection between the noble houses. These suspicions have corrupted all goodwill between the noble families.
1.14 Speak not to me of these abominations, for they offend mine ears exceedingly. Do not speak to me of these hateful things, for they greatly offend my ears.
1.15 These machinations against the crown shall not go unpunished, by heaven’s righteous dispensation. These plots against the throne shall not escape punishment, by heaven’s just decree.
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1.1 These letters bear ill tidings.
1.2 These villains shall answer for their crimes.
1.3 Mark well these words.
1.4 These eyes have seen much sorrow.
1.5 What say you to these accusations?
1.6 These gentlemen attend upon the Duke.
1.7 I would fain know the meaning of these strange apparitions.
1.8 These common players perform for penny-groundlings.
1.9 Consider these propositions with care and deliberation.
1.10 These transformations have wrought marvellous alterations in mine own heart.
1.11 By these present letters patent, we do grant unto our faithful servant certain lands.
1.12 What devotions move these pilgrims to such dangerous peregrinations?
1.13 These suspicions have poisoned all affection between the noble houses.
1.14 Speak not to me of these abominations, for they offend mine ears exceedingly.
1.15 These machinations against the crown shall not go unpunished, by heaven’s righteous dispensation.
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The Demonstrative Pronoun “These” in Early Modern English
The word these functions as the plural proximal demonstrative, forming part of a four-term system inherited from Old English:
Proximity Singular Plural Near (proximal) this these Far (distal) that those
Syntactic Functions of “These”: -
Determiner (Demonstrative Adjective): When modifying a noun directly -
“These letters bear ill tidings” — “these” modifies “letters” -
Pronoun (Substantive): When standing alone for a noun -
“These are the times that try men’s souls” — “these” replaces an understood noun -
Cataphoric Reference: Pointing forward to what will be specified -
“Mark well these words” — the words are about to follow -
Anaphoric Reference: Pointing back to what was previously mentioned -
“These suspicions have poisoned all affection” — refers to suspicions already introduced
Period Pronunciation Notes:
The suffix -tion (and its variants -sion, -ation) presents the most distinctive feature of Elizabethan pronunciation. In Shakespeare’s time, these suffixes retained their Latin-influenced pronunciation as two syllables: -
accusation = /a.kju.ˈzeɪ.sɪ.ənz/ (5 syllables, not modern 4) -
devotion = /dɪ.ˈvoː.sɪ.ən/ (4 syllables, not modern 3) -
suspicion = /sʊs.ˈpɪ.sɪ.ən/ (4 syllables, not modern 3) -
dispensation = /dɪs.pɛn.ˈseɪ.sɪ.ən/ (5 syllables)
This pronunciation is essential for proper scansion of Elizabethan verse. When Shakespeare writes “invention” in a line of iambic pentameter, it scans as four syllables: /ɪn.ˈvɛn.sɪ.ən/.
The Rhotic R:
All instances of the letter “r” were pronounced, unlike modern Received Pronunciation: -
heart = /hart/ (not /hɑːt/) -
ears = /ɪːrz/ (not /ɪəz/) -
tidings = /ˈtaɪ.dɪŋz/ (but danger = /ˈdɛːn.dʒər/)
Thou/You and This/These Deixis:
Elizabethan English combined demonstrative deixis with the thou/you distinction. The proximal demonstratives (this/these) often appeared in intimate or emotionally charged contexts, while the distals (that/those) created rhetorical distance: -
“These eyes have seen” — intimate, personal testimony -
“Those eyes that see” — generalized, distanced reference
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Demonstratives in Elizabethan Legal and Royal Discourse
The phrase “these present letters patent” (Example 1.11) illustrates a crucial legal formula of the period. Royal charters, grants, and official documents began with this formulaic expression, where “these present” functions as a legal term meaning “by means of this current document.” The phrase survives fossilized in modern legal language as “these presents” (meaning “this document”).
Letters patent were open letters from the monarch, sealed with the Great Seal, granting rights, privileges, or monopolies. The demonstrative “these” gave the document its legal force—it referred to the very parchment the reader held, creating a direct connection between language and legal reality.
Theatrical Immediacy
Shakespeare exploited these for theatrical immediacy, bringing distant concepts into the present moment of performance:
“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes / A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” — Romeo and Juliet, Prologue
The Chorus gestures toward the stage, transforming absent Montagues and Capulets into present dramatic reality. The proximal demonstrative collapses the distance between narrative and performance.
Religious and Sermonic Usage
The King James Bible (1611) employs these extensively for theological emphasis:
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you” — John 15:11
The demonstrative creates a sense that Christ’s words are immediately present to the reader or listener, not distant historical utterances.
The Great Vowel Shift Context
During the Elizabethan period, English pronunciation was undergoing the Great Vowel Shift—a systematic raising and diphthongization of long vowels. The word these itself shows this process: -
Middle English: /ðeːzə/ (with final schwa) -
Elizabethan: /ðeːz/ (final schwa lost, vowel still long monophthong) -
Modern RP: /ðiːz/ (vowel raised to [iː])
Understanding this shift helps explain why Elizabethan pronunciation sounds both familiar and foreign to modern ears—the system was in transition.
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From William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene i:
To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to, ‘tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life; For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay, The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover’d country from whose bourn No traveller returns, puzzles the will And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of?
Note Shakespeare’s masterful use of demonstrative contrast: “those ills we have” (known, present sufferings) versus “others that we know not of” (unknown, future possibilities). The distal those creates philosophical distance even from present afflictions, while the indefinite others gestures toward the genuinely unknown.
Pronunciation Note on “question”:
In Original Pronunciation, “question” scanned as three syllables: /ˈkwɛs.tɪ.ən/, not modern /ˈkwes.tʃən/. This fuller pronunciation affects the meter:
“To BE | or NOT | to BE | that IS | the QUES-ti-on”
The feminine ending (extra unstressed syllable) creates the characteristic uncertainty of Hamlet’s deliberation.
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A scene at court. Two nobles observe the arrival of foreign ambassadors.
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.16a What think you of these foreign emissaries? 1.16b What /ʍat/ what think /θɪŋk/ think you /juː/ you of /ɔv/ of these /ðeːz/ these foreign /ˈfɔ.rən/ foreign emissaries /ˈɛ.mɪ.sə.riz/ ambassadors
LORD PEMBERTON:
1.17a These Spaniards bear themselves with great ostentation. 1.17b These /ðeːz/ these Spaniards /ˈspa.njərdz/ Spaniards bear /bɛːr/ carry themselves /ðɛm.ˈsɛlvz/ themselves with /wɪθ/ with great /ɡreːt/ great ostentation /ɔs.tɛn.ˈteɪ.sɪ.ən/ display
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.18a Ay, their commissions come laden with dangerous pretensions. 1.18b Ay /aɪ/ yes their /ðɛːr/ their commissions /kə.ˈmɪ.sɪ.ənz/ mandates come /kʊm/ come laden /ˈleɪ.dən/ burdened with /wɪθ/ with dangerous /ˈdɛːn.dʒə.rəs/ dangerous pretensions /prɪ.ˈtɛn.sɪ.ənz/ claims
LORD PEMBERTON:
1.19a These negotiations may prove the undoing of our careful preparations. 1.19b These /ðeːz/ these negotiations /nɪ.ɡoː.sɪ.ˈeɪ.sɪ.ənz/ negotiations may /mɛː/ may prove /pruːv/ prove the /ðə/ the undoing /ʊn.ˈduː.ɪŋ/ undoing of /ɔv/ of our /aʊr/ our careful /ˈkɛːr.fʊl/ careful preparations /prɛ.pa.ˈreɪ.sɪ.ənz/ preparations
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.20a Mark these men well. Their protestations of friendship mask darker intentions. 1.20b Mark /mark/ note these /ðeːz/ these men /mɛn/ men well /wɛl/ well their /ðɛːr/ their protestations /prɔ.tɛs.ˈteɪ.sɪ.ənz/ declarations of /ɔv/ of friendship /ˈfrɛnd.ʃɪp/ friendship mask /mask/ conceal darker /ˈdar.kər/ darker intentions /ɪn.ˈtɛn.sɪ.ənz/ purposes
LORD PEMBERTON:
1.21a These revelations trouble me exceedingly. 1.21b These /ðeːz/ these revelations /rɛ.və.ˈleɪ.sɪ.ənz/ revelations trouble /ˈtrʊ.bl̩/ trouble me /meː/ me exceedingly /ɛk.ˈseː.dɪŋ.li/ greatly
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.22a What recourse have we against these subtle machinations? 1.22b What /ʍat/ what recourse /rɪ.ˈkɔːrs/ remedy have /hav/ have we /weː/ we against /a.ˈɡɛnst/ against these /ðeːz/ these subtle /ˈsʊ.tl̩/ cunning machinations /ma.kɪ.ˈneɪ.sɪ.ənz/ plots
LORD PEMBERTON:
1.23a We must present these intelligences unto Her Majesty without delay. 1.23b We /weː/ we must /mʊst/ must present /prɪ.ˈzɛnt/ present these /ðeːz/ these intelligences /ɪn.ˈtɛ.lɪ.dʒən.sɪz/ reports unto /ʊn.ˈtuː/ to Her /hɛr/ her Majesty /ˈma.dʒɪs.ti/ Majesty without /wɪθ.ˈaʊt/ without delay /dɪ.ˈlɛː/ delay
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.24a These are perilous times. The foundations of the realm do shake. 1.24b These /ðeːz/ these are /ar/ are perilous /ˈpɛ.rɪ.ləs/ dangerous times /taɪmz/ times the /ðə/ the foundations /faʊn.ˈdeɪ.sɪ.ənz/ foundations of /ɔv/ of the /ðə/ the realm /rɛlm/ kingdom do /duː/ do shake /ʃeɪk/ shake
LORD PEMBERTON:
1.25a Yet these challenges may prove occasions for great glory. 1.25b Yet /jɛt/ yet these /ðeːz/ these challenges /ˈtʃa.lɪn.dʒɪz/ challenges may /mɛː/ may prove /pruːv/ prove occasions /ə.ˈkeɪ.sɪ.ənz/ occasions for /fɔːr/ for great /ɡreːt/ great glory /ˈɡlɔː.ri/ glory
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.26a Would that these tribulations had fallen upon worthier shoulders than mine own. 1.26b Would /wʊd/ would that /ðat/ that these /ðeːz/ these tribulations /trɪ.bjʊ.ˈleɪ.sɪ.ənz/ afflictions had /had/ had fallen /ˈfɔː.lən/ fallen upon /ʊ.ˈpɔn/ upon worthier /ˈwʊr.ði.ər/ worthier shoulders /ˈʃoːl.dərz/ shoulders than /ðan/ than mine /maɪn/ my own /oːn/ own
LORD PEMBERTON:
1.27a Speak not thus! These duties find you well prepared by education and disposition. 1.27b Speak /speːk/ speak not /nɔt/ not thus /ðʊs/ thus these /ðeːz/ these duties /ˈdjuː.tiz/ duties find /faɪnd/ find you /juː/ you well /wɛl/ well prepared /prɪ.ˈpɛːrd/ prepared by /baɪ/ by education /ɛ.djʊ.ˈkeɪ.sɪ.ən/ education and /and/ and disposition /dɪs.pə.ˈzɪ.sɪ.ən/ temperament
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.28a Your confidence emboldens me. These observations shall be communicated forthwith. 1.28b Your /jʊːr/ your confidence /ˈkɔn.fɪ.dəns/ confidence emboldens /ɛm.ˈboːl.dənz/ encourages me /meː/ me these /ðeːz/ these observations /ɔb.zər.ˈveɪ.sɪ.ənz/ observations shall /ʃal/ shall be /biː/ be communicated /kə.ˈmjuː.nɪ.keɪ.tɪd/ communicated forthwith /fɔːrθ.ˈwɪθ/ immediately
LORD PEMBERTON:
1.29a These resolutions do become you well. Fortune favor our enterprises. 1.29b These /ðeːz/ these resolutions /rɛ.zə.ˈluː.sɪ.ənz/ resolutions do /duː/ do become /bɪ.ˈkʊm/ suit you /juː/ you well /wɛl/ well Fortune /ˈfɔːr.tjuːn/ Fortune favor /ˈfeɪ.vər/ favor our /aʊr/ our enterprises /ˈɛn.tər.praɪ.zɪz/ enterprises
LORD ASHWORTH:
1.30a Come then. Let these deliberations yield their proper fruit in action. 1.30b Come /kʊm/ come then /ðɛn/ then let /lɛt/ let these /ðeːz/ these deliberations /dɪ.lɪ.bə.ˈreɪ.sɪ.ənz/ deliberations yield /jiːld/ yield their /ðɛːr/ their proper /ˈprɔ.pər/ proper fruit /fruːt/ fruit in /ɪn/ in action /ˈak.sɪ.ən/ action
Exeunt.
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This Elizabethan English course follows the Latinum Institute methodology for autodidact learners, employing a frequency-based 1000-word curriculum with interlinear construed text. Each lesson provides word-by-word glossing with period-accurate IPA transcription, enabling learners to decode Early Modern English through systematic exposure.
The course emphasizes features that distinguish Elizabethan pronunciation from Modern English, particularly the fuller syllabification of Latinate suffixes (-tion, -sion, -ation), the rhotic pronunciation of all r’s, and the vowel values prior to the completion of the Great Vowel Shift.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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