The History of English Podcast Episode 171: Shakespeare’s English (featuring Ben Crystal)
Oct 9, 2023
Expert in the Elizabethan theater and Shakespeare's original language, Ben Crystal, joins the discussion to provide insight into the challenges of understanding Shakespeare's language. They explore the flexibility of Shakespeare's language, difficulties in grammar and pronunciation, and the recreation of Shakespearean accents. They also discuss the accessibility and resonance of Shakespeare's quotes in everyday conversation and debunk misconceptions about his works.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Introduction
00:00 • 3min
Shakespeare's Language and its Flexibility
02:30 • 26min
The Complexities of Early Modern English Grammar and Pronunciation
28:39 • 3min
Exploring Elizabethan Pronunciation
31:50 • 4min
Recreating Shakespearean Accents
35:51 • 22min
Exploring Thought-Provoking Shakespearean Quotes for Everyday Conversation
58:14 • 4min
Exploring and Appreciating Shakespeare's Works
01:02:01 • 3min
Concluding the Interview and Previewing Future Topics
01:05:09 • 2min