How Shakespeare Changed the English Language

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We'll look at Shakespeare the man and his work. We'll look at the vocabulary and idioms he coined with examples from his plays. There's a guide to help you understand the vocabulary of Early Modern English (thou, thee, thy, forsooth etc) and we'll answer the question "was Shakespeare really Shakespeare?" (yes he was).

00:00 First idioms and vocabulary
01:00 Shakespeare and his plays - a quiz
05:41 Shakespeare's word hoard
14:38 Idioms coined by Shakespeare
18:29 Thou thee etc vocabulary of Early Modern English
22:03 Shakespeare insults
23:10 Shakespeare love quotes
23:58 What Shakespeare Shakespeare?
30:58 Why do we still read Shakespeare?

#shakespeare

[LearnRunes]

In a generation not so long ago, the Complete Works of William Shakespeare was one of only two books many families owned. There's a reason for that.

[NoLegalPlunder]

Excellent video. I love Shakespeare. The beauty and the depth of his writing is mind-boggling.

[Siss]

Thanks Gideon! Your videos are great, both educational and entertaining. Shakespeare has written my very favourite passage ever committed to page in the English language, namely: Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
My hair stood on end when I first read it.

[Sauvageonne]

Shakespeare could encapsulate one book in one sentence. I've stopped reading him on public transport because I can't keep my composure.

[SpiritmanProductions]

Interesting video, but I would not expect so many typos from an English tutor, such as "anape" and "fasionable", and more.

[kaloarepo]

Shakespeare is credited with more new words in the English language than any other writer - next was Geoffrey Chaucer but coming in third place was an Italian -John Florio who was Shakespeare's contemporary who compiled the first Italian-English dictionary and some people even argue that Florio wrote some of the Shakespeare canon -especially the numerous plays set in Italy like Romeo and Juliet, Merchant of Venice, Two gentlemen of Verona, Taming of the Shrew and one or two others. Haven't mentioned the Roman history plays)

[jasonpalacios]

TBH with you when I was in high school I had trouble understanding the words in Shakespeare's plays but now because of YouTube, I understand most of it now.

[isabelatence]

Once again I am impressed with your play, your talent and effort makes me want to be close to Shakespeare's legacy, I immersed myself in the topic, it was really worth waiting for this video. Here we said "Monster" when someone does something excellent, you are! Thank you very much! 💂👸

[sobrikey]

Thanks Gideon, from France, always very interesting

[ccuxewr]

Aw.. look what the cat dragged in 😮
The man himself, the one and only like no other than Gideon.
The Gramarian dog's bollocks!
Don't pardon my French there !😉

[brendanward]

Half the plays in the First Folio are new, appearing for the first time seven years after Shakspere of Stratford had died. Shakespeare wasn't a man, he was an industry.

[DavidFMayerPhD]

More than Shakespeare CHANGED the English language, he DEFINED Modern English.

[MrChadbag]

Wherefore. Interesting. In Swedish you have varför (where for) which is “why”. I never thought about that until today.

[n.m.sh.]

Bill Bryson's book about S. is well worth a read.

IMHO, all of BB's books are well worth a read.

[unarmoredwtf]

There's a fantastic movie "Anonymous" about the "real" Shakespear identity. It's fiction alright but it's such a great movie with great actors, intriguing plot and jaw-dropping finale. 100% recommend watching!

[gaufrid]

Thou canst bedazzled be, what light shines forth on thee. Then cast thine eyes about, for fear what is without. Forsooth thou knowest not, 'tis wherefore the blood runs hot.

[SuzannePALAZZO]

Thanks Gideon, from CORSICA🥵very intresting

[ДМИТРИЙПристромов-кд]

This video is absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much. 🙇 Unfortunately they're too much more information than my brain can handle. 😅

[isabellesimon]

Thank you so much Gideon for this so interesting video .I learnt a lot much more than when I was studying Will Shake at University ! So accurate !
And your sensé oh humour is still here .🎉❤

[BethDiane]

There is a many a word whose first appearance is in a play, particularly in Shakespeare's day. But the fact that it's being used in a play implies that people were already using it in speech; otherwise, the playwright ran the risk that no one would know what he meant.