Welcome to Lesson Seventy-Four of the Latinum Institute’s Elizabethan English course. This lesson examines still, one of the most versatile adverbs in Early Modern English, functioning as a marker of temporal continuation, persistent state, and emphatic constancy.
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FAQ: What does “still” mean in Elizabethan English?
In Elizabethan usage, still carries richer semantic weight than its modern descendant. Beyond simple continuation (”yet,” “even now”), it frequently conveys absolute constancy (”always,” “perpetually,” “ever”) and emphatic persistence despite circumstances. Shakespeare employs still over 800 times across his works, often in contexts where modern English would require “always,” “constantly,” or “nevertheless.” The word derives from Old English stille (motionless, calm), but by the sixteenth century had expanded far beyond its original sense of physical stillness to encompass temporal and modal dimensions.
This lesson presents fifteen examples demonstrating still in its various Elizabethan functions: temporal continuation, habitual constancy, emphatic persistence, and concessive force. The Genre Section offers a dramatic dialogue showcasing how still operates within authentic Early Modern discourse.
Educational Note: This material forms part of a systematic 1000-word frequency curriculum designed for autodidactic learners using the Latinum Institute’s construed text methodology.
Key Takeaways: -
Still in Elizabethan English often means “always” or “constantly,” not merely “yet” -
The word frequently carries emphatic or concessive force -
Positioning within the sentence affects nuance and emphasis -
Still commonly collocates with verbs of mental state and continuous action -
Understanding this adverb unlocks hundreds of Shakespearean passages
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The International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions in this lesson reflect Early Modern English pronunciation (c. 1580-1620), differing from modern Received Pronunciation in several key respects:
Period Pronunciation Features: -
The suffix -tion was pronounced /tsiən/ or /sjən/, not modern /ʃən/ -
The vowel in still was /ɪ/ as today, but with less reduction in unstressed syllables -
Final -ed was often syllabic /ɛd/ where modern English has /d/ or /t/ -
The r was consistently pronounced in all positions (rhotic) -
Long vowels retained older qualities: love had /ʊ/ not /ʌ/ -
Gh in words like night retained a velar fricative /x/ for some speakers -
Wh- words began with /hw/ (preserved in some modern dialects)
The IPA transcriptions provided aim to guide modern readers toward period-appropriate delivery while remaining accessible. Stressed syllables are marked with /’/ preceding the syllable.
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74.1a The king doth still command our loyal service 74.1b The /ðə/ the king /kɪŋ/ king doth /dʌθ/ does-EMPH still /stɪl/ always command /kəm’mɑːnd/ command our /aʊr/ our loyal /’lɔɪ.əl/ loyal service /’sɛr.vɪs/ service
74.2a She weeps still for her departed lord 74.2b She /ʃeː/ she weeps /weːps/ weeps still /stɪl/ yet for /fɔr/ for her /hɛr/ her departed /dɪ’pɑr.tɛd/ departed lord /lɔrd/ lord
74.3a Though fortune frown I still maintain mine honour 74.3b Though /ðoː/ although fortune /’fɔr.tjuːn/ fortune frown /fraʊn/ frown-SUBJ I /aɪ/ I still /stɪl/ nevertheless maintain /meɪn’teɪn/ maintain mine /maɪn/ my honour /’ɔ.nər/ honour
74.4a Art thou still resolv’d to quit this place 74.4b Art /ɑrt/ are-2SG thou /ðaʊ/ thou still /stɪl/ yet resolv’d /rɪ’zɔlvd/ resolved to /tuː/ to quit /kwɪt/ leave this /ðɪs/ this place /pleɪs/ place
74.5a The moon still governs the inconstant tides 74.5b The /ðə/ the moon /muːn/ moon still /stɪl/ perpetually governs /’gʌ.vərnz/ governs the /ðə/ the inconstant /ɪn’kɔn.stənt/ inconstant tides /taɪdz/ tides
74.6a He still protests his innocence most vehemently 74.6b He /heː/ he still /stɪl/ continually protests /proː’tɛsts/ protests his /hɪz/ his innocence /’ɪ.nə.sɛns/ innocence most /moːst/ most vehemently /’veː.ə.mənt.liː/ vehemently
74.7a Why dost thou still torment me with thy presence 74.7b Why /hwaɪ/ why dost /dʌst/ do-2SG thou /ðaʊ/ thou still /stɪl/ constantly torment /tɔr’mɛnt/ torment me /meː/ me with /wɪθ/ with thy /ðaɪ/ thy presence /’prɛ.zəns/ presence
74.8a My heart beats still with hope of her return 74.8b My /maɪ/ my heart /hɑrt/ heart beats /beːts/ beats still /stɪl/ yet with /wɪθ/ with hope /hoːp/ hope of /ɔv/ of her /hɛr/ her return /rɪ’tɜrn/ return
74.9a The people still do murmur ‘gainst the tax 74.9b The /ðə/ the people /’peː.pəl/ people still /stɪl/ constantly do /duː/ do-EMPH murmur /’mʌr.mər/ murmur ‘gainst /gɛnst/ against the /ðə/ the tax /tæks/ tax
74.10a She still remembers what her mother taught 74.10b She /ʃeː/ she still /stɪl/ ever remembers /rɪ’mɛm.bərz/ remembers what /hwɑt/ what her /hɛr/ her mother /’mʌ.ðər/ mother taught /tɔːt/ taught
74.11a Though winter rage the fire still burns within 74.11b Though /ðoː/ although winter /’wɪn.tər/ winter rage /reɪdʒ/ rage-SUBJ the /ðə/ the fire /’faɪ.ər/ fire still /stɪl/ nonetheless burns /bɜrnz/ burns within /wɪ’ðɪn/ within
74.12a I am still thy servant howsoever thou usest me 74.12b I /aɪ/ I am /æm/ am still /stɪl/ always thy /ðaɪ/ thy servant /’sɛr.vənt/ servant howsoever /haʊ.soː’ɛ.vər/ howsoever thou /ðaʊ/ thou usest /’juː.zɪst/ use-2SG me /meː/ me
74.13a The villain still denies his wicked deed 74.13b The /ðə/ the villain /’vɪ.lən/ villain still /stɪl/ persistently denies /dɪ’naɪz/ denies his /hɪz/ his wicked /’wɪ.kɛd/ wicked deed /deːd/ deed
74.14a Though banish’d hence my love remains still true 74.14b Though /ðoː/ although banish’d /’bæ.nɪʃt/ banished hence /hɛns/ from-here my /maɪ/ my love /lʊv/ love remains /rɪ’meɪnz/ remains still /stɪl/ ever true /truː/ true
74.15a Time passeth yet my sorrow still abides 74.15b Time /taɪm/ time passeth /’pɑː.sɪθ/ passes yet /jɛt/ but my /maɪ/ my sorrow /’sɔ.roː/ sorrow still /stɪl/ constantly abides /ə’baɪdz/ abides
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74.1 The king doth still command our loyal service. “The king always commands our loyal service.”
74.2 She weeps still for her departed lord. “She yet weeps for her departed lord.”
74.3 Though fortune frown, I still maintain mine honour. “Although fortune may frown, I nevertheless maintain my honour.”
74.4 Art thou still resolv’d to quit this place? “Are you yet determined to leave this place?”
74.5 The moon still governs the inconstant tides. “The moon perpetually governs the changeable tides.”
74.6 He still protests his innocence most vehemently. “He continually protests his innocence most forcefully.”
74.7 Why dost thou still torment me with thy presence? “Why do you constantly torment me with your presence?”
74.8 My heart beats still with hope of her return. “My heart yet beats with hope of her return.”
74.9 The people still do murmur ‘gainst the tax. “The people constantly complain against the tax.”
74.10 She still remembers what her mother taught. “She ever remembers what her mother taught.”
74.11 Though winter rage, the fire still burns within. “Although winter may rage, the fire nonetheless burns within.”
74.12 I am still thy servant, howsoever thou usest me. “I am always your servant, however you may treat me.”
74.13 The villain still denies his wicked deed. “The villain persistently denies his evil act.”
74.14 Though banish’d hence, my love remains still true. “Although banished from here, my love remains ever faithful.”
74.15 Time passeth, yet my sorrow still abides. “Time passes, but my sorrow constantly endures.”
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74.1 The king doth still command our loyal service.
74.2 She weeps still for her departed lord.
74.3 Though fortune frown, I still maintain mine honour.
74.4 Art thou still resolv’d to quit this place?
74.5 The moon still governs the inconstant tides.
74.6 He still protests his innocence most vehemently.
74.7 Why dost thou still torment me with thy presence?
74.8 My heart beats still with hope of her return.
74.9 The people still do murmur ‘gainst the tax.
74.10 She still remembers what her mother taught.
74.11 Though winter rage, the fire still burns within.
74.12 I am still thy servant, howsoever thou usest me.
74.13 The villain still denies his wicked deed.
74.14 Though banish’d hence, my love remains still true.
74.15 Time passeth, yet my sorrow still abides.
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These are the grammar rules for “still” in Elizabethan English:
Semantic Range of “Still”
The Elizabethan adverb still encompasses a broader semantic territory than its modern counterpart. Where contemporary English typically restricts still to temporal continuation (meaning “yet” or “up to this point”), Early Modern usage extends to at least four distinct functions:
First, still indicates temporal continuation: the sense of “up to now” or “yet,” as in “She weeps still for her departed lord.” This remains the primary modern meaning.
Second, still signifies habitual constancy: the sense of “always,” “perpetually,” or “at all times,” as in “The king doth still command our loyal service.” This usage appears frequently in Shakespeare and his contemporaries but has largely fallen from modern English except in set phrases.
Third, still conveys emphatic persistence: the sense of “nonetheless” or “nevertheless,” especially after concessive clauses beginning with though or albeit, as in “Though fortune frown, I still maintain mine honour.”
Fourth, still can function as an intensifier of continuous action, emphasising that something happens repeatedly or without cessation, as in “The people still do murmur ‘gainst the tax.”
Positioning of “Still”
In Elizabethan English, still exhibits considerable flexibility in sentence position, each placement carrying distinct nuances:
Pre-verbal position (most common): still precedes the main verb—”He still protests his innocence.” This placement emphasises the continuation or constancy of the action itself.
Post-verbal position: still follows the main verb—”She weeps still for her departed lord.” This placement often carries a more literary or emphatic quality, drawing attention to the state that persists.
Sentence-final position: still closes the clause—”My love remains still true.” This placement typically emphasises the resultant state rather than the action.
Pre-adjectival position: still modifies the following adjective—”remains still true.” This construction emphasises the constancy of the quality described.
Collocations with Auxiliary Verbs
When combined with the emphatic auxiliary do/doth, still creates a construction expressing persistent action with added emphasis: “The king doth still command” carries more weight than “The king still commands.” This construction was common in formal or emotionally charged contexts.
With modal auxiliaries, still typically precedes the main verb: “I am still thy servant” positions still between the copula and the predicate nominative.
“Still” in Concessive Constructions
A particularly common Elizabethan pattern places still in the main clause following a though clause:
Though + [subjunctive/indicative clause] + [subject] + still + [main verb]
Example: “Though fortune frown, I still maintain mine honour.”
This construction emphasises that the action or state persists despite contrary circumstances. Modern English might replace still with “nevertheless” or “nonetheless” in such contexts.
Common Mistakes for Modern Readers
Modern readers often under-translate still, rendering it merely as “yet” when context demands “always” or “constantly.” Consider Shakespeare’s “Still harping on my daughter” (Hamlet 2.2): Polonius means Hamlet constantly dwells upon Ophelia, not merely that he yet speaks of her.
Another frequent error involves missing the concessive force of still after though clauses. “Though banish’d hence, my love remains still true” uses still to mean “nevertheless true” or “true despite everything,” not merely “true up to now.”
Comparison with Modern English
Modern English retains still primarily for temporal continuation: “She is still working” means “She continues to work up to this moment.” The meanings “always,” “constantly,” and “nevertheless” have largely transferred to other adverbs. Elizabethan still thus requires contextual interpretation—the modern reader must determine from context whether still means “yet,” “always,” “constantly,” or “nevertheless.”
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The Philosophy of Constancy
The Elizabethan fascination with still reflects a cultural preoccupation with constancy—the virtue of remaining unchanged amid Fortune’s turning wheel. Renaissance moral philosophy, drawing upon Stoic and Christian traditions, celebrated the individual who maintained virtue, loyalty, and love despite adversity. The frequent appearance of still in contexts of faithfulness, persistence, and endurance mirrors this cultural value.
Elizabethan love poetry particularly valorises “still” devotion: the lover who remains still true despite rejection, absence, or the beloved’s cruelty demonstrates the highest form of affection. This contrasts with charges of “inconstancy”—the gravest accusation one could level against a lover or friend.
“Still” in Theatrical Rhetoric
On the Elizabethan stage, still serves as a powerful rhetorical marker. Characters proclaiming that they “still” love, honour, or serve signal unwavering commitment. Villains who “still” deny, deceive, or protest their innocence reveal stubborn wickedness. The word carries moral weight beyond mere temporal description.
Shakespeare employs still strategically in his famous speeches. In Sonnet 116, “Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds” argues for love that remains still constant. In Hamlet, “Still harping on my daughter” reveals Polonius’s irritation at persistent dwelling upon a subject. In Othello, Desdemona’s protestations that she “still” loves her lord despite his accusations underscore her tragic constancy.
Regional and Social Variations
Evidence suggests that the “always/constantly” meaning of still was particularly common in formal, literary, and elevated registers. Courtly speech and official documents employed still to convey perpetual states: “We do still acknowledge Your Majesty’s supreme authority.” Colloquial usage may have already begun the narrowing toward purely temporal senses that would dominate later English.
Scots English, notably, preserved the “always” meaning longer than southern varieties, and traces remain in dialectal usage to this day. This conservatism suggests that the broader Elizabethan semantic range represents inherited usage rather than innovation.
“Still” in Religious Discourse
Religious texts of the period employ still abundantly. The Book of Common Prayer and period sermons use constructions like “we do still offend against Thy holy laws” and “Thou art still merciful unto us sinners.” Here still combines temporal continuation with habitual constancy—we perpetually sin, and God perpetually shows mercy. This theological dimension adds solemnity to secular uses of the word.
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From William Shakespeare’s Sonnets (Sonnet 116, c. 1609)
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Let /lɛt/ let me /meː/ me not /nɔt/ not to /tuː/ to the /ðə/ the marriage /’mæ.rɪdʒ/ marriage of /ɔv/ of true /truː/ true minds /maɪndz/ minds
Admit /əd’mɪt/ admit impediments /ɪm’pɛ.dɪ.mənts/ impediments Love /lʊv/ love is /ɪz/ is not /nɔt/ not love /lʊv/ love
Which /hwɪtʃ/ which alters /’ɔːl.tərz/ alters when /hwɛn/ when it /ɪt/ it alteration /ɔːl.tə’reɪ.sjən/ alteration finds /faɪndz/ finds
Or /ɔr/ or bends /bɛndz/ bends with /wɪθ/ with the /ðə/ the remover /rɪ’muː.vər/ remover to /tuː/ to remove /rɪ’muːv/ remove
O /oː/ oh no /noː/ no it /ɪt/ it is /ɪz/ is an /æn/ an ever-fixed /’ɛ.vər.fɪkst/ ever-fixed mark /mɑrk/ mark
That /ðæt/ that looks /lʊks/ looks on /ɔn/ upon tempests /’tɛm.pɪsts/ tempests and /ænd/ and is /ɪz/ is never /’nɛ.vər/ never shaken /’ʃeɪ.kən/ shaken
F-B: Natural Translation
Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no, it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken.
“Let me not acknowledge any obstacles to the union of faithful minds. Love that changes when circumstances change, or yields when the beloved withdraws, is not true love. No—true love is a permanently fixed beacon that witnesses storms yet is never disturbed.”
F-C: Original Text
Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no, it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage from Sonnet 116 exemplifies the Elizabethan ideal of constancy that underlies the adverb still. Though still does not appear in these lines, the entire argument celebrates the quality still denotes: love that remains constant (”ever-fixed”), that does not alter, that endures (”is never shaken”).
The phrase “ever-fixed mark” employs ever in the same semantic space as still in its “always/perpetually” sense. The compound “ever-fixed” creates a permanent state, a “still” condition immune to change.
Note the period pronunciation of “alteration” as /ɔːl.tə’reɪ.sjən/ with the suffix preserving its Latin-derived /sjən/ rather than modern /ʃən/. Similarly, “impediments” maintains full syllabic weight.
The verb “bends” (yields, gives way) contrasts with the constancy of true love. Shakespeare argues that authentic love still remains, still endures, still looks upon tempests unmoved—even when the word still goes unspoken, its concept governs the sonnet’s argument.
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A Scene at Court: The Accused Minister
In this dramatic dialogue, a minister stands accused of treachery. The word “still” appears in various functions throughout the exchange, demonstrating its semantic range in authentic dramatic context.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
74.16a The accusation stands Thou art still charg’d with treason 74.16b The /ðə/ the accusation /æ.kjuː’zeɪ.sjən/ accusation stands /stændz/ stands Thou /ðaʊ/ thou art /ɑrt/ are still /stɪl/ yet charg’d /tʃɑrdʒd/ charged with /wɪθ/ with treason /’treː.zən/ treason
74.17a I do still maintain my innocence before this court 74.17b I /aɪ/ I do /duː/ do-EMPH still /stɪl/ constantly maintain /meɪn’teɪn/ maintain my /maɪ/ my innocence /’ɪ.nə.sɛns/ innocence before /bɪ’fɔːr/ before this /ðɪs/ this court /kɔrt/ court
74.18a The witness still affirms he saw thee with the enemy 74.18b The /ðə/ the witness /’wɪt.nəs/ witness still /stɪl/ persistently affirms /ə’fɜrmz/ affirms he /heː/ he saw /sɔː/ saw thee /ðeː/ thee with /wɪθ/ with the /ðə/ the enemy /’ɛ.nə.miː/ enemy
74.19a That man doth still bear malice against my house 74.19b That /ðæt/ that man /mæn/ man doth /dʌθ/ does-EMPH still /stɪl/ always bear /bɛːr/ bear malice /’mæ.lɪs/ malice against /ə’gɛnst/ against my /maɪ/ my house /haʊs/ house
74.20a Though he bear malice the evidence still condemns thee 74.20b Though /ðoː/ although he /heː/ he bear /bɛːr/ bear-SUBJ malice /’mæ.lɪs/ malice the /ðə/ the evidence /’ɛ.vɪ.dəns/ evidence still /stɪl/ nonetheless condemns /kən’dɛmz/ condemns thee /ðeː/ thee
74.21a My liege I have still serv’d thee with faithful heart 74.21b My /maɪ/ my liege /liːdʒ/ lord I /aɪ/ I have /hæv/ have still /stɪl/ always serv’d /sɛrvd/ served thee /ðeː/ thee with /wɪθ/ with faithful /’feɪθ.fəl/ faithful heart /hɑrt/ heart
74.22a Dost thou still claim loyalty when letters prove otherwise 74.22b Dost /dʌst/ do-2SG thou /ðaʊ/ thou still /stɪl/ yet claim /kleɪm/ claim loyalty /’lɔɪ.əl.tiː/ loyalty when /hwɛn/ when letters /’lɛ.tərz/ letters prove /pruːv/ prove otherwise /’ʌ.ðər.waɪz/ otherwise
74.23a Those letters are forgeries I still avow my truth 74.23b Those /ðoːz/ those letters /’lɛ.tərz/ letters are /ɑr/ are forgeries /’fɔr.dʒə.riːz/ forgeries I /aɪ/ I still /stɪl/ nonetheless avow /ə’vaʊ/ avow my /maɪ/ my truth /truːθ/ truth
74.24a The court hath still more questions for the accused 74.24b The /ðə/ the court /kɔrt/ court hath /hæθ/ has still /stɪl/ yet more /mɔːr/ more questions /’kwɛs.tsjənz/ questions for /fɔr/ for the /ðə/ the accused /ə’kjuːzd/ accused
74.25a I will still answer whatsoever you demand 74.25b I /aɪ/ I will /wɪl/ will still /stɪl/ ever answer /’ɑːn.sər/ answer whatsoever /hwɔt.soː’ɛ.vər/ whatsoever you /juː/ you demand /dɪ’mɑːnd/ demand
74.26a Why didst thou still frequent the ambassador’s lodgings 74.26b Why /hwaɪ/ why didst /dɪdst/ did-2SG thou /ðaʊ/ thou still /stɪl/ constantly frequent /friː’kwɛnt/ frequent the /ðə/ the ambassador’s /æm’bæ.sə.dərz/ ambassador’s lodgings /’lɔ.dʒɪŋz/ lodgings
74.27a I went still upon lawful business of the state 74.27b I /aɪ/ I went /wɛnt/ went still /stɪl/ always upon /ə’pɔn/ upon lawful /’lɔː.fəl/ lawful business /’bɪz.nɪs/ business of /ɔv/ of the /ðə/ the state /steɪt/ state
74.28a Though thy words sound fair suspicion still remains 74.28b Though /ðoː/ although thy /ðaɪ/ thy words /wɜrdz/ words sound /saʊnd/ sound fair /fɛːr/ fair suspicion /sʌs’pɪ.sjən/ suspicion still /stɪl/ nevertheless remains /rɪ’meɪnz/ remains
74.29a Then let my deeds speak for they still witness my fidelity 74.29b Then /ðɛn/ then let /lɛt/ let my /maɪ/ my deeds /deːdz/ deeds speak /speːk/ speak for /fɔr/ for they /ðeɪ/ they still /stɪl/ perpetually witness /’wɪt.nəs/ witness my /maɪ/ my fidelity /fɪ’dɛ.lɪ.tiː/ fidelity
74.30a We shall consider but thou art still detain’d until our judgment 74.30b We /weː/ we shall /ʃæl/ shall consider /kən’sɪ.dər/ consider but /bʌt/ but thou /ðaʊ/ thou art /ɑrt/ are still /stɪl/ yet detain’d /dɪ’teɪnd/ detained until /ʌn’tɪl/ until our /aʊr/ our judgment /’dʒʌdʒ.mənt/ judgment
Part B: Natural Sentences
74.16 The accusation stands. Thou art still charg’d with treason. “The accusation remains in force. You are yet charged with treason.”
74.17 I do still maintain my innocence before this court. “I constantly maintain my innocence before this court.”
74.18 The witness still affirms he saw thee with the enemy. “The witness persistently affirms he saw you with the enemy.”
74.19 That man doth still bear malice against my house. “That man always bears ill will against my family.”
74.20 Though he bear malice, the evidence still condemns thee. “Although he may harbour ill will, the evidence nonetheless condemns you.”
74.21 My liege, I have still serv’d thee with faithful heart. “My lord, I have always served you with a loyal heart.”
74.22 Dost thou still claim loyalty when letters prove otherwise? “Do you yet claim loyalty when letters prove the contrary?”
74.23 Those letters are forgeries. I still avow my truth. “Those letters are false. I nonetheless declare my honesty.”
74.24 The court hath still more questions for the accused. “The court has yet more questions for the accused.”
74.25 I will still answer whatsoever you demand. “I will ever answer whatever you require.”
74.26 Why didst thou still frequent the ambassador’s lodgings? “Why did you constantly visit the ambassador’s residence?”
74.27 I went still upon lawful business of the state. “I always went on legitimate state affairs.”
74.28 Though thy words sound fair, suspicion still remains. “Although your words sound honest, suspicion nevertheless persists.”
74.29 Then let my deeds speak, for they still witness my fidelity. “Then let my actions speak, for they perpetually testify to my loyalty.”
74.30 We shall consider, but thou art still detain’d until our judgment. “We shall deliberate, but you are yet held until our verdict.”
Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
74.16 The accusation stands. Thou art still charg’d with treason.
74.17 I do still maintain my innocence before this court.
74.18 The witness still affirms he saw thee with the enemy.
74.19 That man doth still bear malice against my house.
74.20 Though he bear malice, the evidence still condemns thee.
74.21 My liege, I have still serv’d thee with faithful heart.
74.22 Dost thou still claim loyalty when letters prove otherwise?
74.23 Those letters are forgeries. I still avow my truth.
74.24 The court hath still more questions for the accused.
74.25 I will still answer whatsoever you demand.
74.26 Why didst thou still frequent the ambassador’s lodgings?
74.27 I went still upon lawful business of the state.
74.28 Though thy words sound fair, suspicion still remains.
74.29 Then let my deeds speak, for they still witness my fidelity.
74.30 We shall consider, but thou art still detain’d until our judgment.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This dramatic dialogue demonstrates still in multiple functions within a coherent scene:
Temporal Continuation (”yet”): Examples 74.16, 74.22, 74.24, and 74.30 use still to indicate that a condition persists up to the present moment—the charge remains, the claim continues, questions exist, detention persists.
Habitual Constancy (”always”): Examples 74.17, 74.19, 74.21, 74.26, 74.27, and 74.29 employ still to denote perpetual or characteristic action—the minister consistently maintains innocence, always served faithfully, constantly visited the ambassador.
Concessive Persistence (”nevertheless”): Examples 74.20, 74.23, and 74.28 position still in opposition to preceding concessive clauses, indicating that something holds true despite contrary circumstances.
Note the emphatic auxiliary construction: “I do still maintain” (74.17) and “doth still bear” (74.19) combine the emphatic do/doth with still for heightened rhetorical effect, common in formal speech and impassioned pleading.
Note the positioning variation: Pre-verbal (”still maintains”), post-auxiliary (”have still serv’d”), and post-subject (”I still avow”) positions all appear, each carrying slightly different emphases appropriate to the dramatic moment.
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The Word “Still”
IPA: /stɪl/
The pronunciation of still has remained remarkably stable from the Elizabethan period to the present. The short /ɪ/ vowel and final dark /l/ were essentially as they are today. This stability reflects the word’s position in the core Germanic vocabulary of English.
Notable Period Pronunciations in This Lesson
Accusation: /æ.kjuː’zeɪ.sjən/ — The suffix -tion retains its original /sjən/ pronunciation, not yet merged into modern /ʃən/.
Suspicion: /sʌs’pɪ.sjən/ — Same suffix pattern as above.
Question: /’kwɛs.tsjən/ — The /kw/ cluster was fully pronounced, and the suffix likewise shows /sjən/.
Treason: /’treː.zən/ — The vowel was longer than in modern pronunciation, and the second syllable had fuller quality.
Malice: /’mæ.lɪs/ — Both syllables received more distinct articulation than in rapid modern speech.
Judgment: /’dʒʌdʒ.mənt/ — The medial syllable -ge- was fully pronounced.
Ambassador: /æm’bæ.sə.dər/ — All four syllables articulated with rhotic /r/ in final position.
Audio Reference Suggestions
For authentic period pronunciation, students may consult recordings by the Original Pronunciation (OP) practitioners at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. The work of David Crystal and Ben Crystal on “Pronouncing Shakespeare” provides scholarly reconstructions based on historical evidence including rhymes, puns, and contemporary descriptions.
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The Latinum Institute Elizabethan English Course
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, providing autodidactic learners with systematic access to historical and modern languages through the construed text methodology.
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Why Study Elizabethan English?
Early Modern English (c. 1500-1700) represents a crucial period in the development of the language. Mastering this register unlocks access to Shakespeare, the King James Bible, Marlowe, Spenser, Donne, Milton, and the foundational texts of modern English literature, philosophy, and religious thought. Beyond literary access, understanding Elizabethan usage clarifies many features of contemporary English that otherwise appear arbitrary.
The Construed Text Methodology
This course employs interlinear glossing to make Elizabethan syntax immediately transparent to modern readers. Rather than facing a wall of unfamiliar constructions, learners see each word’s function and meaning directly beneath the original text. This method—developed for classical languages and adapted here for historical English—accelerates comprehension while building authentic reading ability.
Autodidactic Design
Every lesson is self-contained, requiring no instructor. The progression from construed text to natural sentences to pure Elizabethan text guides learners toward independent reading. Grammar explanations clarify patterns; cultural context enriches understanding; literary citations connect lessons to authentic masterworks.
The 1000-Word Frequency Curriculum
This course follows a systematic vocabulary progression based on word frequency. By mastering the most common words first, learners rapidly achieve functional reading ability. Lesson 074, covering still, addresses a word that appears hundreds of times in Shakespeare alone—unlocking countless passages with a single lesson.
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✓ Lesson 074 Elizabethan English complete
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