Shakespeares Language in Titus Andronicus More possibilities The

Shakespeares Language in Titus Andronicus

More possibilities The grammar was not as strict as today. Apart from hard rules rhyme, style and metre could influence the sentence structure:

Did you notice. . . piece … there are rarely. Changing any -ing endings Even though the form existed it wasn't actually used. Groaning shadows In 100 000 words the ing occurs 40 times in a Shakespeare text, 120 times in a restauration comedy, and 837 times in modern drama

Now or not Now? The present is not exclusively used for the present. Occasionally it is used for the past as well. To top this confusion: Verbs in the 1 st person singular don't have special endings. Tamora: Titus, I am come to see you

Shall In the battle of „Will“ and „Shall“, „Shall“ prevailed. Of course the language of the bible had its influence on that. In the 17 th century it is still hard to decide whether „Shall“ refers to modality or future. Marcus: Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. Lucius: And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live Chiron: Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare.

Do Do Do The use of „do“ was since the 15 th century constantly increasing. Except for a construction in a positive declarance sentence: „Somewhat doth she mean“ The lifetime of Shakespeare is the only time where „do“ is recognizable used in a positive declarance sentence. Simultaneously questions and imperatives increased up to the modern frequency.