Here is quick guide to some common Elizabethan terms you will find while reading Shakespeare.
Elizabethan | Contemporary |
Adieu | Goodbye |
Affright | Frightened |
An | If |
Annon | Soon as in “I will see you soon!” |
Aroint | Away |
Bedchamber | Bedroom |
Sirrah | Boy (usually used to address an inferior) |
Counsel | Advice |
Discourse | Speak |
Dispatch | Kill |
Doth | Does |
E’en | Evening |
Fare thee well | Goodbye/Good Luck |
Foe | Enemy |
Good Morrow | Hello/Good Morning |
Hark | Listen |
Heavy | Sad/Depressed |
Hither | Here |
Mark | Pay attention |
Merry | Depending on how it is said it could mean happy or expletive “Indeed!” |
Methings | I think |
Nay | No |
Ne’r | Never |
Oft | Often |
Perchance | Maybe |
Plague | Curse |
Pox | Depending on context, it could be talking about Small Pox, or is said as a curse. |
Privy | Knowledgeable |
Resolve | Plan |
Soft | Wait a minute |
Thee | You as the subject |
Thou | You as an object |
Thou art | You are |
Thy | Your |
Tidings | News |
Well Met | Hello |
Wherefore | Why |
Whereto | To Which |
Withal | With |
Woe | Misery |
Would | Wish |