Shakespeare, William: 1564-1616
Othello, 1622 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Challenging, Archaic
- Archaic Vocabulary – Many words either aren’t used today or have different meanings. For example, “anon” (soon) or “wherefore” (why)..
Complex Sentence Structures – Long, inverted sentences with multiple clauses make parsing harder.
Figurative Language – Metaphors, similes, and wordplay are frequent and layered (e.g. Othello (Act 2, Scene 1): “Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners.” A simile of people as gardeners, implying we cultivate our own character and actions.).
Early Modern English Grammar – Pronouns like “thou/thee” and verb endings like “-est” or “-eth” are uncommon today.
Poetic Devices – Blank verse and iambic pentameter add rhythm that can obscure literal meaning.
- Archaic Vocabulary – Many words either aren’t used today or have different meanings. For example, “anon” (soon) or “wherefore” (why)..
- It’s not just old words—it’s the combination of archaic words, unusual grammar, dense imagery, and historical context that makes understanding hard for most modern readers.