The History of English Podcast

Delving into English spelling history in the late 1500s through Shakespearean plays. Exploring the origin of phrases like 'fight fire with fire' and the evolution of silent letters. Uncovering the dark legacy of Thomas Derek and notable events in 1596. Examining Shakespeare's compositions and the themes of love and confusion in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Exploring the development of English comedy in the early modern era, focusing on Shakespeare's comedies and the influence of Italian drama. Delving into the evolution of language through Shakespeare's plays and the impact of comedic terms like clown and buffoon. Discussing the portrayal of Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice' and the evolution of plot twists in Shakespearean plays.

Explore the succession conflict in France during the 1500s and its influence on Shakespeare's plays. Discover the linguistic changes in the pronunciation of words like 'succession' and the shift in consonant sounds. Delve into the comedic confusion and mistaken identity in 'The Comedy of Errors' and the mix-up of love letters in 'Succession'. Learn about the origins and context of 'Richard III' and its portrayal of succession.

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.

This podcast explores the connection between the plague outbreak and Shakespeare's poetry, the impact of the plague on London's acting companies, Shakespeare's connection to printer Richard Field, the influence of George Putnam's The Art of English Pozy on Shakespeare's poetic style, the emergence of standard English for poetry, the concept of reduplication in poetry, and the structure and origins of English poetry.

Explore the life of William Shakespeare and separate fact from fiction. Topics include his first reference in London, controversy surrounding his marriage, mysterious years as a playwright, establishment of the Globe Theatre, publication of his plays and sonnets, false advertising and legal disputes, and details of his last will and testament.

In this episode, we explore the Elizabethan fascination with witchcraft and mysterious creatures like fairies and demons. Those subjects feature prominently in the literature of the period, and they reveal a lot about the world view of the people who lived in England in the late 1500s. Among the texts analyzed in this episode are Reginald Scot’s ‘Discoverie of Witchcraft,’ Christopher Marlowe’s ‘Doctor Faustus,’ Edmund Spenser’s ‘The Faerie Queene,’ and William Shakespeare’s three history plays about Henry VI. TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 168

All languages have their own rhythm and cadence, and English is no exception. That rhythm has actually shaped the language over time. It contributed to the structure of English poetry, and during the Elizabethan period, it shaped the way drama was composed. In this episode, we look at the beginning of Modern English drama through the patterns of sound in ordinary speech. Links to Videos in Episode:The Perfect French with Dylane: Word StressThe Rhythms of Latin Poetry: Hexameter TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 167

In this episode from the Patreon archives, we examine the accent used by actors and actresses in very old movies. We look at the origin of that accent and examine why it was adopted by the film industry in the first few decades of sound in motion pictures.

The podcast explores the Spanish Armada's invasion of England and its impact on the English language, religion, and colonization. It discusses the consequences of Spanish rule, the plan to invade England by Philip, and the challenges faced by the Armada. The podcast also delves into the mystery of the Roanoke Colony and the encounters of English settlers with Native Americans.