Shakespearean Language Made Easy
Step 1 Getting a Feel for the Language
Read the following passage based on the well-known fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”.
Step 2 Paraphrase
Use your knowledge of the story plot to help you decipher the Shakespearean version into your common English. Place your paraphrase in the column on the right. Remember: no language can be translated word for word; just try and get the gist of it!
Shakespearean[Scene 1 Before a house in a dense forest. Enter Goldilocks.]
Goldilocks:
Yonder lies a house. The wills above be done. All hail, great masters! Can ye show me a way out of this wood? Mercy on me; no one’s home. No matter, since they have left their viands behind. ‘Tis good porridge, this. And now I needs must rest me. I’ll couch me here, and cursed be he who wakes me.
[Enter Bears]
Papa B.
Hast now some paw been in my soup?
Mama B.
I’d swear it.
Baby B.
Where are the thief?
Mama B.
Be it not a sprite, he may hide above.
Baby B.
A pox on her. There lies yon maid.
Papa B.
Bestir, bestir, ye charitable waif!
Goldilocks
Sir, ‘tis a strange room I’m in, and company. Why do ye speak so urgently? Is’t so possessed I am with guilt?
Adieu. [Exeunt]
Shakespearean Insult Sheet
Step 1 Acceptable Insults
Follow the directions below to create some brilliant Shakespearean insults.
Step 2 Choices
Place your two favorite insults in the blanks provided.
Insult #1 Thou ______
Insult #2 Thou ______