Title: READ: Shakespeare's Language
Course: English 9 (B)

Shakespeare's Language

Nervous about reading "The Bard" (William Shakespeare)? Take courage! Usually--and this is even true for English teachers, when they sit down with a Shakespearean text they havn't read before or havn't read in a long time--it takes an act or two to get the hang of the language. But you will get it. You may not understand every single little word. But you will understand generally what is being said, especially if you read it aloud, listen to the audio files, watch the accompanying video clips, refer to the documents here, and don't give up. And it's a powerful thing to master the Master of the English Language!

Read these two documents.Print them out; the ASSESSMENT: Shakespeare's Language is open note, plus you will find that referring to these documents as you read Romeo and Juliet may aid your understanding.

Intro to Shakespeare’s Language: Early Modern English

Intro to Shakespeare’s Language: Iambic Pentameter

Then watch the clips below; they will also help you on the "Shakespeare's Language" assessment.