Did People Truly Speak Like Shakespeare in His Plays?

Rather than the dialogue in Shakespeare's plays, popular literature that portrays accents or languages evolving over time, the everyday tone and mannerisms are far different from what we see on stage. This article explores the evolution of language, the differences in speech patterns, and how Shakespeare's writing has influenced our perception of how people communicated in the Elizabethan era.

Evolution of Language and Everyday Accents

Rather than depicting an accurate representation of everyday speech, Shakespeare's plays have been romanticized and exaggerated for theatrical purposes. This is not to say that languages or accents don't change over time, but it does highlight that those used in the plays were not the common speech patterns of the era.

Shakespeare and His Writing Style

Shakespeare primarily wrote in verse, often in the form of blank verse, which follows a rigid iambic pentameter. This poetic style, marked by a consistent rhythm, exists in a world far removed from the complexities of everyday conversation. For instance, the opening line of Hamlet, "More than kin and little less than kind," would not have been spoken in quite the same manner as it is written.

The Reality of Everyday Speech

In contrast to the poetic and complex rhythms of Shakespeare's verse, normal speech is much more fluid and unpredictable. The rhythm of speech, for example, follows a much more complex pattern, moving beyond the strict iambic pentameter found in his plays. Furthermore, spelling conventions were far less rigid; there were no standardized dictionaries, and even Shakespeare himself experimented with spelling variations in documents such as an affidavit.

Grammatical and Pronunciation Differences

One significant point is that many words were pronounced differently, which can be inferred from the use of puns and other linguistic devices. For example, in Hamlet, the opening line "More than kin and little less than kind" suggests that 'kind' and 'kin' were pronounced with the same vowel sound. This is just one example of how the pronunciation of words has likely evolved over time.

The Impact of Accents

Accents are also a key factor in understanding how people spoke during the Elizabethan era. In Shakespeare's time, there was no standardized "posh" or "proper" speech. Instead, accents were local and varied. For example, Shakespeare's Warwickshire accent would have been similar to a modern Birmingham accent, though city accents often carry sharper tones compared to rural ones.

Writing Style and Vocabulary

Shakespeare's vocabulary, while extensive, was still within the realm of his time. However, he did expand it in playful and artistic ways. For instance, he created the word "assassination" from the noun "assassin." Additionally, he used archaic inflections, like "thou sayest," which were common in his era but not typically in everyday speech.

Parallel between Stage and Social Speech

While Shakespeare's stage dialogue has a formal and elevated nature, it shares many characteristics with everyday speech of the time. He used the informal "thee" and "thou," employed archaic inflections, and a vocabulary that was broadly representative of its era. Despite these similarities, the major difference lies in the fact that more than half of his plays were written in verse, adhering to a strict iambic pentameter. This poetic form lends a certain rhythm and power to the words, making them sound different from natural speech.

Modern Perception and Reality

Despite the differences between stage and everyday speech, people in Shakespeare's time would not have found his plays difficult to understand. However, it is important to note that no writer, playwright, or author speaks as well as they write. The process of writing involves careful thought and reworking, something that is not always possible or natural when speaking impromptu. Even Shakespeare, known for his eloquence, would have had to be quite skilled at improvisation to maintain such a high level of communication off the stage.

Ancient Anecdotes and Real People

Despite the romanticized portrayal of Shakespeare, there are anecdotes that provide insights into his daily life. An interesting example is the story of Richard Burbage, a lead actor in Shakespeare's company, who was interested in a young woman. Upon learning that she had already gone off with Shakespeare, Burbage left a playful message: "William the Conqueror precedes Richard III." This joke, allegedly drawn from Shakespeare's life, illustrates the wit and charm he likely possessed, even in casual interactions.

In conclusion, while Shakespeare's plays are a masterpiece of English literature, they do not accurately reflect the natural speech patterns of his time. The evolution of language, the use of poetic forms, and the differences in accents and pronunciation all played a role in shaping our understanding of how people truly spoke in the Elizabethan era. Understanding this context helps us appreciate both the beauty of Shakespeare's work and the reality of how people in his time actually communicated.