Shakespeare's English

4 years ago

Even for native English speakers, it can be difficult to understand the type of Early Modern English used in the players and poems of William Shakespeare. I have very strong memories of struggling with this when I - like nearly all English children - was forced to learn Shakespeare at school. However, outside the classroom, I learned to love Shakespeare.

So many of Shakespeare's phrases became common English idioms. Many native English speakers use them frequently, even if though don't know why! Here are just a few, along with some short definitions:

"the green-eyed monster" - jealousy
"break the ice" - get to know a new person
"refuse to budge an inch" - never compromise
"dead as a doornail" - definitely not alive
"for goodness' sake" - an expression of frustration with someone or something
"hoist with his own petard" - being the victim of your own bad behaviour
"heart of gold" - being a kind and generous person
"Knock knock! Who's there?" - a format of joke
"love is blind" - people who are in love can't find fault in the person who they love
"wear my heart upon my sleeve" - be very honest and open about your emotions