Topic Seven (1.7): Shakespeare’s Language

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic, you will examine Shakespeare’s language in greater detail. Having completed your reading and annotation of the play, using the in-text notes, and the Guide to Shakespeare’s Language provided in Topic 1.2, you should now feel more comfortable with the style of the language used in the play and have a sound understanding of the plot and its characters. You are now ready to build on this further and to examine the nuances and subtleties of Shakespeare’s language so you can bring greater detail and precision into the close textual analysis in your essays.

Top Tip Icon.png Top Tips

  • At AL, you are expected to go even further in your close textual analysis than you did at AS and to explore a wider and more sophisticated range of technical terms and concepts, so keep referring to the glossary provided in Mastering English Literature, the Guide to Shakespeare’s Language, the notes in your text and the literary terminology websites provided in General Resources.
  • If you come across any new terminology that doesn’t feature on the glossary, begin a separate list in your notes.

Reflect Icon.png Review

You used the following two resources at AS, but you may find them helpful to look at them again in light of King Lear. If you did not study AS with Wolsey Hall, please make sure you read these carefully now and make notes.

EXPLORE – Metaphors and Similes in Shakespeare (Shakespeare Online) Links to an external site.

EXPLORE – Shakespeare’s Language (RSC) Links to an external site.N.B. Make sure you also listen to the embedded audio file in this link.

Skills Icon.png Tasks

  • The following resource from the Royal Shakespeare Company contains a series of video clips and shows you examples of key language features in King Lear:

EXPLORE – The Language in King Lear: Key Terms (RSC) Links to an external site.

  • Now read the following article about the use of blank verse in King Lear and make notes:

EXPLORE – King Lear: Versification and Diction (Shakespeare Online) Links to an external site.

  • Read through the following resources on tone and style in the play and add to your notes:

EXPLORE – Tone in King Lear (Sparknotes) Links to an external site.

EXPLORE – Style in King Lear (Sparknotes) Links to an external site.

  • Now use the following resource to explore the language of specific characters in the play:

EXPLORE – King Lear: Language Analysis (RSC) Links to an external site.

Consolidate Icon.png Consolidate

You may find it helpful to develop your understanding of Shakespeare’s language by reviewing the meaning of the following key quotations from the play on Sparknotes:

EXPLORE – Important Quotations Explained (Sparknotes) Links to an external site.

Glossary Icon.png Terminology

Make sure you understand any new literary terminology covered in this topic. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.