The word very serves as one of the most potent intensifiers in the English tongue, employed to heighten the force of adjectives and adverbs. Derived from Old French verai meaning “true” or “real” (itself from Vulgar Latin vērācus), the word originally carried the sense of something being genuinely or truly so. By the Elizabethan period, very had fully transitioned into its modern function as a degree modifier, though it retained occasional use in its older sense of “true” or “actual” (as in “the very man himself”).
In Shakespeare’s English, very appears with remarkable frequency, lending emphasis to descriptions of character, emotion, and circumstance. The word functions to intensify without hyperbole—it signals that the quality described approaches its fullest expression.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “very” mean in Elizabethan English?
In Elizabethan English, “very” functions primarily as an intensive adverb meaning “to a high degree” or “extremely,” modifying adjectives and adverbs. It also retains its older meaning of “true,” “actual,” or “genuine” when used attributively before nouns (e.g., “the very thought” meaning “the actual thought itself”).
The fifteen examples in this lesson demonstrate very in its characteristic Elizabethan contexts: heightening emotional states, emphasizing qualities of persons and things, and occasionally preserving its etymological sense of truth or genuineness. Through the construed text format, you will encounter the word in natural syntactic positions while developing an intuitive feel for its rhythmic placement in Early Modern English prose.
Key Takeaways: -
Very functions as a degree intensifier modifying adjectives and adverbs -
Retains occasional use meaning “true” or “actual” before nouns -
Derived from Old French verai (”true”), ultimately from Latin vērācus -
Elizabethan pronunciation features rhotic “r” and more open vowels than modern RP -
Essential for understanding the emphatic rhetoric of Shakespeare’s age
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Elizabethan English, also termed Early Modern English (c. 1500–1700), differs significantly from modern Received Pronunciation. The Great Vowel Shift was still in progress during Shakespeare’s lifetime, and many features of medieval pronunciation persisted.
Key Phonetic Features: -
Rhotic /r/: The letter “r” was always pronounced, even after vowels. Words like “father,” “burn,” and “very” carried full r-colouration. -
The “-tion” ending: Pronounced [sɪən] or [sjən], NOT modern [ʃən]. Thus “invention” sounded like “in-VEN-see-on.” -
More open vowels: The TRAP vowel was closer to [a] than modern [æ]. The STRUT vowel was higher: [ʊ] or close-mid back. -
Long vowels in transition: Words like “life” were pronounced closer to [lɐɪf], partway between Middle English [liːf] and modern [laɪf]. -
Preserved consonant clusters: Initial “kn-” in “knife,” “gn-” in “gnaw,” and distinct “wh-” [ʍ] were still sounded. -
The word “very”: Pronounced [ˈvɛɾi] with a clear alveolar tap [ɾ] and a more open first vowel than modern [ˈveri].
IPA Conventions in This Lesson:
This lesson employs period-appropriate IPA reflecting Elizabethan norms. Note especially: -
/r/ always sounded (rhotic) -
/sɪən/ for “-tion” endings -
/a/ for short “a” in TRAP words -
/ʊ/ for STRUT vowels in many contexts
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
73.1a The lady is very fair of countenance.
73.1b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART lady /ˈleːdi/ noblewoman-NOM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG fair /fɛːr/ beautiful-ADJ of /ɔv/ in.respect.of-PREP countenance /ˈkuːntənəns/ face-NOM
73.2a Thou art very bold to speak thus before the King.
73.2b Thou /ðuː/ you-NOM.2SG.FAM art /aːrt/ be-2SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG bold /boːld/ daring-ADJ to /tuː/ in.order.to-PREP speak /speːk/ utter-INF thus /ðʊs/ in.this.manner-ADV before /bɪˈfoːr/ in.presence.of-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART King /kɪŋ/ monarch-NOM
73.3a This very night we shall depart for France.
73.3b This /ðɪs/ this-DEM very /ˈvɛɾi/ selfsame-ADJ.ATTR night /nɪçt/ evening-NOM we /weː/ we-NOM.1PL shall /ʃal/ will-AUX.FUT depart /dɪˈpaːrt/ leave-INF for /fɔːr/ toward-PREP France /fraːns/ France-NOM
73.4a The poison worketh very swift upon the blood.
73.4b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART poison /ˈpɔɪzən/ venom-NOM worketh /ˈwʊrkəθ/ work-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG swift /swɪft/ quickly-ADV upon /əˈpɔn/ on-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART blood /blʊːd/ blood-NOM
73.5a I am very loath to believe such villainy.
73.5b I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG am /am/ be-1SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG loath /loːθ/ reluctant-ADJ to /tuː/ to-PREP believe /bɪˈliːv/ credit-INF such /sʊtʃ/ such-DEM villainy /ˈvɪləni/ wickedness-NOM
73.6a Her father is a very honourable gentleman of the court.
73.6b Her /hɛːr/ her-GEN.3SG.FEM father /ˈfaːðər/ father-NOM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES a /ə/ a-INDEF.ART very /ˈvɛɾi/ truly-ADV.DEG honourable /ˈɔnərəbl̩/ worthy-ADJ gentleman /ˈdʒɛntl̩mən/ nobleman-NOM of /ɔv/ of-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART court /kɔːrt/ royal.household-NOM
73.7a The very thought of death maketh me tremble.
73.7b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART very /ˈvɛɾi/ mere-ADJ.ATTR thought /θɔːçt/ contemplation-NOM of /ɔv/ of-PREP death /dɛːθ/ death-NOM maketh /ˈmaːkəθ/ make-3SG.PRES me /meː/ me-ACC.1SG tremble /ˈtrɛmbl̩/ shake-INF
73.8a They did receive us very kindly at the inn.
73.8b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM.3PL did /dɪd/ do-PAST.AUX receive /rɪˈsiːv/ welcome-INF us /ʊs/ us-ACC.1PL very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG kindly /ˈkaɪndli/ graciously-ADV at /at/ at-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART inn /ɪn/ tavern-NOM
73.9a ‘Tis very strange that none have heard the proclamation.
73.9b ‘Tis /tɪz/ it.is-CONTR very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG strange /straːndʒ/ peculiar-ADJ that /ðat/ that-CONJ none /nʊːn/ no.one-PRON have /hav/ have-3PL.PRES heard /hɛːrd/ hear-PAST.PART the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART proclamation /ˌprɔklaˈmeɪsɪən/ announcement-NOM
73.10a Your devotion to the cause is very evident.
73.10b Your /jɔːr/ your-GEN.2PL devotion /dɪˈvoːsɪən/ dedication-NOM to /tuː/ to-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART cause /kɔːz/ purpose-NOM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG evident /ˈɛvɪdənt/ apparent-ADJ
73.11a She hath been very ill these many weeks past.
73.11b She /ʃeː/ she-NOM.3SG.FEM hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES been /biːn/ be-PAST.PART very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG ill /ɪl/ sick-ADJ these /ðiːz/ these-DEM.PL many /ˈmɛni/ many-ADJ weeks /weːks/ week-NOM.PL past /paːst/ gone.by-ADJ
73.12a The traitor met his very doom upon the scaffold.
73.12b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART traitor /ˈtreɪtər/ betrayer-NOM met /mɛt/ meet-PAST his /hɪz/ his-GEN.3SG.MASC very /ˈvɛɾi/ destined-ADJ.ATTR doom /duːm/ fate-NOM upon /əˈpɔn/ on-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART scaffold /ˈskafəld/ execution.platform-NOM
73.13a It would please me very well to see thee married.
73.13b It /ɪt/ it-NOM would /wʊd/ will-COND please /pleːz/ gratify-INF me /meː/ me-ACC.1SG very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG well /wɛl/ much-ADV to /tuː/ to-PREP see /seː/ witness-INF thee /ðiː/ you-ACC.2SG.FAM married /ˈmarɪd/ wed-PAST.PART
73.14a The fashion is very new and much admired in London.
73.14b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART fashion /ˈfaʃɪən/ style-NOM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG new /njuː/ recent-ADJ and /and/ and-CONJ much /mʊtʃ/ greatly-ADV admired /ədˈmaɪərd/ esteemed-PAST.PART in /ɪn/ in-PREP London /ˈlʊndən/ London-NOM
73.15a He is the very picture of his noble grandfather.
73.15b He /heː/ he-NOM.3SG.MASC is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART very /ˈvɛɾi/ exact-ADJ.ATTR picture /ˈpɪktʃər/ image-NOM of /ɔv/ of-PREP his /hɪz/ his-GEN.3SG.MASC noble /ˈnoːbl̩/ noble-ADJ grandfather /ˈgraːndfaːðər/ grandfather-NOM
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
73.1 The lady is very fair of countenance. The noblewoman possesses a beautiful face.
73.2 Thou art very bold to speak thus before the King. You show great daring to speak this way in the King’s presence.
73.3 This very night we shall depart for France. This selfsame night we will leave for France.
73.4 The poison worketh very swift upon the blood. The venom acts exceedingly quickly in the bloodstream.
73.5 I am very loath to believe such villainy. I am extremely reluctant to credit such wickedness.
73.6 Her father is a very honourable gentleman of the court. Her father is a truly worthy nobleman of the royal household.
73.7 The very thought of death maketh me tremble. The mere contemplation of death makes me shake.
73.8 They did receive us very kindly at the inn. They welcomed us most graciously at the tavern.
73.9 ‘Tis very strange that none have heard the proclamation. It is most peculiar that no one has heard the announcement.
73.10 Your devotion to the cause is very evident. Your dedication to the purpose is exceedingly apparent.
73.11 She hath been very ill these many weeks past. She has been extremely sick for these many weeks gone by.
73.12 The traitor met his very doom upon the scaffold. The betrayer met his destined fate upon the execution platform.
73.13 It would please me very well to see thee married. It would greatly gratify me to see you wed.
73.14 The fashion is very new and much admired in London. The style is quite recent and greatly esteemed in London.
73.15 He is the very picture of his noble grandfather. He is the exact image of his noble grandfather.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
73.1 The lady is very fair of countenance.
73.2 Thou art very bold to speak thus before the King.
73.3 This very night we shall depart for France.
73.4 The poison worketh very swift upon the blood.
73.5 I am very loath to believe such villainy.
73.6 Her father is a very honourable gentleman of the court.
73.7 The very thought of death maketh me tremble.
73.8 They did receive us very kindly at the inn.
73.9 ‘Tis very strange that none have heard the proclamation.
73.10 Your devotion to the cause is very evident.
73.11 She hath been very ill these many weeks past.
73.12 The traitor met his very doom upon the scaffold.
73.13 It would please me very well to see thee married.
73.14 The fashion is very new and much admired in London.
73.15 He is the very picture of his noble grandfather.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The Dual Functions of “Very”
In Elizabethan English, very operates in two distinct grammatical roles:
1. Degree Adverb (Intensive)
As an adverb of degree, very modifies adjectives and other adverbs, intensifying their meaning without changing their semantic content. This is its most frequent use: -
“very fair” (73.1) — intensifies the adjective “fair” -
“very bold” (73.2) — intensifies the adjective “bold” -
“very swift” (73.4) — intensifies the adverb “swift” -
“very kindly” (73.8) — intensifies the adverb “kindly” -
“very well” (73.13) — intensifies the adverb “well”
Note that very modifies gradable adjectives—those admitting degrees (fair, fairer, fairest). It does not typically modify absolute adjectives like “dead” or “perfect” in careful usage.
2. Attributive Adjective (Emphatic/Identifying)
In its older function, very serves as an attributive adjective meaning “true,” “actual,” “selfsame,” or “mere.” It precedes nouns directly: -
“this very night” (73.3) — this selfsame night, this particular night -
“the very thought” (73.7) — the mere thought, the thought itself -
“his very doom” (73.12) — his destined doom, his actual fate -
“the very picture” (73.15) — the exact image, the true likeness
This usage emphasizes identity or essence rather than degree.
Elizabethan Verb Forms
Several archaic verb forms appear in these sentences: -
worketh (73.4): Third person singular present indicative with -eth suffix, an alternative to -es/-s -
maketh (73.8): Same pattern -
hath (73.11): Third person singular present of “have” -
art (73.2): Second person singular present of “be” (with thou)
Thou/Thee/Thy Distinctions
The second person familiar pronoun appears in several cases: -
Thou (73.2): nominative case, subject -
thee (73.13): accusative/objective case, object -
Thy (implied in address): possessive determiner
These familiar forms contrast with you/your, which in Elizabethan usage served as both plural and formal singular.
Pronunciation Note: “-tion” Endings
Words ending in “-tion” (proclamation 73.9, devotion 73.10, fashion 73.14) receive period pronunciation [sɪən], creating an additional syllable compared to modern pronunciation. Thus: -
proclamation: /ˌprɔklaˈmeɪsɪən/ (five syllables) -
devotion: /dɪˈvoːsɪən/ (four syllables) -
fashion: /ˈfaʃɪən/ (three syllables, note: already shifted in some speakers)
This fuller pronunciation affects both scansion in verse and the rhythmic flow of prose.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
“Very” in the Elizabethan Social Register
The intensifier very carried particular weight in Elizabethan discourse, operating within a culture obsessed with degree, rank, and the precise gradation of qualities. When a courtier described someone as “very honourable,” the modifier signaled placement within a finely calibrated hierarchy of honour—not mere hyperbole but specific social positioning.
The word’s etymological connection to truth (verai, “true”) lingered in consciousness. To call something “very” was to assert its genuine, unfeigned quality—a significant claim in an age deeply concerned with the gap between appearance and reality, seeming and being.
The Great Vowel Shift in Progress
Shakespeare and his contemporaries lived through one of the most dramatic phonological transformations in English history. The Great Vowel Shift, occurring roughly between 1400 and 1700, systematically raised the articulation point of long vowels. During the Elizabethan period, this shift was incomplete, producing a sound system significantly different from both Chaucer’s Middle English and our modern pronunciation.
For students approaching Shakespeare’s works, this explains why certain rhymes and puns that worked perfectly in original pronunciation fall flat today. The word “reason” and “raisin” were homophones; “hour” sounded like “whore” (enabling bawdy wordplay in As You Like It). Understanding period pronunciation unlocks layers of meaning otherwise lost.
The Theatre and the Court
Elizabethan English existed across a spectrum from courtly refinement to street argot, with the public theatres serving as a remarkable meeting ground. Shakespeare’s plays were written to appeal simultaneously to groundlings paying a penny to stand and nobles in the galleries. The language had to work across these audiences—very intensifying descriptions of both common and aristocratic life.
The phrase “very honourable gentleman of the court” (73.6) positions a character socially with precision. The theatre-goer would understand “honourable” as a near-technical term of rank, modified by “very” to indicate this was no marginal figure but someone genuinely embedded in courtly status.
Religious and Political Resonance
The Elizabethan period saw English consolidate its position against Latin as the language of education, law, and increasingly, worship. The Bible had recently appeared in English translation, and words like very acquired theological resonance. The phrase “the very thought of death maketh me tremble” (73.7) echoes the contemplative vocabulary of religious meditation, where the “very” soul faced “very” judgment.
Similarly, political language exploited intensifiers carefully. “Your devotion to the cause” (73.10) could describe religious, political, or personal loyalty—domains that were, in this era, frequently entangled.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene II:
“He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.”
While very does not appear in this exact passage, Hamlet’s praise of his father exemplifies the Elizabethan rhetorical mode of emphatic characterization. Compare with:
From William Shakespeare, Othello, Act II, Scene I:
“She is indeed perfection.”
And with very explicitly employed:
From William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act III, Scene II:
“The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, But, being seasoned with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil? In religion, What damnèd error, but some sober brow Will bless it and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament? There is no vice so simple but assumes Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.”
Bassanio here meditates on the gap between appearance and reality—the very concern that makes the word’s dual meaning (intensive and “true”) so resonant.
From William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene IV:
“O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.” “O, throw away the worser part of it, And live the purer with the other half.”
The Queen and Hamlet speak of the very heart—its essential nature, split between corruption and potential redemption.
From Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus, Scene XIV:
“See, see where Christ’s blood streams in the firmament!”
Marlowe’s Faustus confronts the very moment of damnation, the word’s absent presence felt in the absolute desperation of the scene.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
A scene of intrigue and revelation at court, demonstrating “very” in natural dramatic context.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
73.16a Marry, this is very welcome news indeed.
73.16b Marry /ˈmari/ indeed-INTERJ this /ðɪs/ this-DEM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG welcome /ˈwɛlkəm/ pleasing-ADJ news /njuːz/ tidings-NOM indeed /ɪnˈdiːd/ truly-ADV
73.17a The ambassador is very eager to present his petition.
73.17b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART ambassador /amˈbasədər/ envoy-NOM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG eager /ˈiːgər/ desirous-ADJ to /tuː/ to-PREP present /prɪˈzɛnt/ deliver-INF his /hɪz/ his-GEN.3SG.MASC petition /pɪˈtɪsɪən/ formal.request-NOM
73.18a Hast thou examined the very substance of his complaint?
73.18b Hast /hast/ have-2SG.PRES thou /ðuː/ you-NOM.2SG.FAM examined /ɪgˈzamɪnd/ investigate-PAST.PART the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART very /ˈvɛɾi/ actual-ADJ.ATTR substance /ˈsʊbstəns/ essence-NOM of /ɔv/ of-PREP his /hɪz/ his-GEN.3SG.MASC complaint /kəmˈpleɪnt/ grievance-NOM
73.19a I find his manner very suspicious, my lord.
73.19b I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG find /faɪnd/ consider-1SG.PRES his /hɪz/ his-GEN.3SG.MASC manner /ˈmanər/ bearing-NOM very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG suspicious /sʊsˈpɪsɪəs/ doubtful-ADJ my /maɪ/ my-GEN.1SG lord /lɔːrd/ lord-VOC
73.20a ‘Twas the very hour appointed for the secret meeting.
73.20b ‘Twas /twɔz/ it.was-CONTR the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART very /ˈvɛɾi/ exact-ADJ.ATTR hour /ˈuːər/ time-NOM appointed /əˈpɔɪntɪd/ designated-PAST.PART for /fɔːr/ for-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART secret /ˈsiːkrɪt/ hidden-ADJ meeting /ˈmiːtɪŋ/ assembly-NOM
73.21a The Queen is very gracious to those who serve her faithfully.
73.21b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART Queen /kwiːn/ queen-NOM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG gracious /ˈgreɪsɪəs/ benevolent-ADJ to /tuː/ to-PREP those /ðoːz/ those-DEM.PL who /huː/ who-REL.PRON serve /sɛːrv/ attend-3PL.PRES her /hɛːr/ her-ACC.3SG.FEM faithfully /ˈfeɪθfəli/ loyally-ADV
73.22a They whisper very softly in the presence chamber.
73.22b They /ðeɪ/ they-NOM.3PL whisper /ˈʍɪspər/ murmur-3PL.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG softly /ˈsɔftli/ quietly-ADV in /ɪn/ in-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART presence /ˈprɛzəns/ audience-ADJ chamber /ˈtʃeɪmbər/ room-NOM
73.23a Methinks he doth protest his innocence very much.
73.23b Methinks /mɪˈθɪŋks/ it.seems.to.me-V.IMPERS he /heː/ he-NOM.3SG.MASC doth /dʊθ/ do-3SG.PRES.AUX protest /prəˈtɛst/ assert-INF his /hɪz/ his-GEN.3SG.MASC innocence /ˈɪnəsəns/ guiltlessness-NOM very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG much /mʊtʃ/ greatly-ADV
73.24a The letter beareth the very seal of the Lord Chancellor.
73.24b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART letter /ˈlɛtər/ epistle-NOM beareth /ˈbɛːrəθ/ bear-3SG.PRES the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART very /ˈvɛɾi/ authentic-ADJ.ATTR seal /siːl/ seal-NOM of /ɔv/ of-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART Lord /lɔːrd/ lord-TITLE Chancellor /ˈtʃaːnsələr/ chancellor-NOM
73.25a Art thou very certain of what thou hast seen?
73.25b Art /aːrt/ be-2SG.PRES thou /ðuː/ you-NOM.2SG.FAM very /ˈvɛɾi/ entirely-ADV.DEG certain /ˈsɛːrtən/ sure-ADJ of /ɔv/ of-PREP what /ʍat/ what-REL.PRON thou /ðuː/ you-NOM.2SG.FAM hast /hast/ have-2SG.PRES seen /siːn/ see-PAST.PART
73.26a The condition of the roads is very dangerous after the rains.
73.26b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART condition /kənˈdɪsɪən/ state-NOM of /ɔv/ of-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART roads /roːdz/ road-NOM.PL is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG dangerous /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/ perilous-ADJ after /ˈaːftər/ following-PREP the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART rains /reɪnz/ rain-NOM.PL
73.27a Her education hath made her very accomplished in music.
73.27b Her /hɛːr/ her-GEN.3SG.FEM education /ˌɛdjuːˈkeɪsɪən/ schooling-NOM hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES made /meɪd/ make-PAST.PART her /hɛːr/ her-ACC.3SG.FEM very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG accomplished /əˈkɔmplɪʃt/ skilled-ADJ in /ɪn/ in-PREP music /ˈmjuːzɪk/ music-NOM
73.28a I am very glad that the negotiation hath concluded well.
73.28b I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG am /am/ be-1SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG glad /glad/ pleased-ADJ that /ðat/ that-CONJ the /ðə/ the-DEF.ART negotiation /nɪˌgoːsɪˈeɪsɪən/ treaty.discussion-NOM hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES concluded /kənˈkluːdɪd/ end-PAST.PART well /wɛl/ favourably-ADV
73.29a Stand thou in this very spot until I return.
73.29b Stand /stand/ stand-IMP thou /ðuː/ you-NOM.2SG.FAM in /ɪn/ in-PREP this /ðɪs/ this-DEM very /ˈvɛɾi/ exact-ADJ.ATTR spot /spɔt/ place-NOM until /ʊnˈtɪl/ until-CONJ I /aɪ/ I-NOM.1SG return /rɪˈtɛːrn/ come.back-1SG.PRES
73.30a The situation is very grave, and requireth immediate attention.
73.30b The /ðə/ the-DEF.ART situation /ˌsɪtjuːˈeɪsɪən/ circumstance-NOM is /ɪz/ be-3SG.PRES very /ˈvɛɾi/ exceedingly-ADV.DEG grave /greɪv/ serious-ADJ and /and/ and-CONJ requireth /rɪˈkwaɪərəθ/ require-3SG.PRES immediate /ɪˈmiːdɪət/ urgent-ADJ attention /əˈtɛnsɪən/ regard-NOM
Part B: Natural Sentences
73.16 Marry, this is very welcome news indeed. Indeed, this is most pleasing tidings truly.
73.17 The ambassador is very eager to present his petition. The envoy is extremely desirous to deliver his formal request.
73.18 Hast thou examined the very substance of his complaint? Have you investigated the actual essence of his grievance?
73.19 I find his manner very suspicious, my lord. I consider his bearing exceedingly doubtful, my lord.
73.20 ‘Twas the very hour appointed for the secret meeting. It was the exact time designated for the hidden assembly.
73.21 The Queen is very gracious to those who serve her faithfully. The Queen is exceedingly benevolent to those who attend her loyally.
73.22 They whisper very softly in the presence chamber. They murmur exceedingly quietly in the audience room.
73.23 Methinks he doth protest his innocence very much. It seems to me he asserts his guiltlessness too greatly.
73.24 The letter beareth the very seal of the Lord Chancellor. The epistle carries the authentic seal of the Lord Chancellor.
73.25 Art thou very certain of what thou hast seen? Are you entirely sure of what you have witnessed?
73.26 The condition of the roads is very dangerous after the rains. The state of the roads is exceedingly perilous following the rains.
73.27 Her education hath made her very accomplished in music. Her schooling has made her exceedingly skilled in music.
73.28 I am very glad that the negotiation hath concluded well. I am extremely pleased that the treaty discussion has ended favourably.
73.29 Stand thou in this very spot until I return. Remain in this exact place until I come back.
73.30 The situation is very grave, and requireth immediate attention. The circumstance is exceedingly serious and requires urgent regard.
Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
73.16 Marry, this is very welcome news indeed.
73.17 The ambassador is very eager to present his petition.
73.18 Hast thou examined the very substance of his complaint?
73.19 I find his manner very suspicious, my lord.
73.20 ‘Twas the very hour appointed for the secret meeting.
73.21 The Queen is very gracious to those who serve her faithfully.
73.22 They whisper very softly in the presence chamber.
73.23 Methinks he doth protest his innocence very much.
73.24 The letter beareth the very seal of the Lord Chancellor.
73.25 Art thou very certain of what thou hast seen?
73.26 The condition of the roads is very dangerous after the rains.
73.27 Her education hath made her very accomplished in music.
73.28 I am very glad that the negotiation hath concluded well.
73.29 Stand thou in this very spot until I return.
73.30 The situation is very grave, and requireth immediate attention.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
“-tion” Words with Period Pronunciation
The genre section introduces numerous words ending in “-tion” and “-sion,” demonstrating Elizabethan pronunciation conventions: -
petition (73.17): /pɪˈtɪsɪən/ — four syllables with [sɪən] ending -
condition (73.26): /kənˈdɪsɪən/ — four syllables -
education (73.27): /ˌɛdjuːˈkeɪsɪən/ — five syllables -
negotiation (73.28): /nɪˌgoːsɪˈeɪsɪən/ — six syllables -
situation (73.30): /ˌsɪtjuːˈeɪsɪən/ — five syllables -
attention (73.30): /əˈtɛnsɪən/ — four syllables
Compare with modern RP: -
petition: /pɪˈtɪʃn̩/ — three syllables -
condition: /kənˈdɪʃn̩/ — three syllables
This difference of one full syllable per word significantly affects verse scansion and prose rhythm.
The Impersonal “Methinks”
“Methinks” (73.23) functions as an impersonal verb meaning “it seems to me.” The “me” is dative, not nominative—the construction literally means “to me it thinks/seems.” This archaic form appears frequently in Shakespeare:
“Methinks the lady doth protest too much.” — Hamlet
Interjection “Marry”
“Marry” (73.16) is a mild oath derived from “by Mary” (the Virgin Mary). By the Elizabethan period, it had weakened to an emphatic interjection expressing surprise, affirmation, or transition—roughly equivalent to modern “indeed” or “why.”
The Auxiliary “Doth”
“Doth” (73.23) serves as the third person singular present indicative of “do” when used as an auxiliary verb for emphasis or in questions. The phrase “he doth protest” uses “doth” to add rhetorical emphasis, a construction that would later evolve into the modern emphatic “he does protest.”
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This lesson forms part of the Elizabethan English series from the Latinum Institute, designed for autodidact learners seeking mastery of Early Modern English as used in the works of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and their contemporaries.
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, specializing in the construed text methodology that makes complex historical languages accessible to independent learners. Our approach employs interlinear glossing—each word individually analyzed and translated—enabling students to internalize grammatical patterns naturally through extensive reading rather than abstract rule memorization.
Why Study Elizabethan English?
The English of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries represents the foundation of modern literary English. Understanding its pronunciation, grammar, and idiom unlocks Shakespeare’s wordplay, reveals lost rhymes and puns, and provides insight into the historical development of our language.
Course Features: -
1000-word frequency-based curriculum -
Period-accurate IPA pronunciation -
Self-contained lessons with full interlinear glossing -
Cultural and historical context for each lesson word -
Literary citations from primary sources -
Genre sections demonstrating natural usage
Links:
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Lesson 73 Complete
---