Shakespeare is a master of English language. He uses English so easily. Shakespeare's plays depict hundreds of characters, from kings, queens and princes to thieves, clowns and grave diggers. Each character's language has its own characteristics. Basically, all the words are suitable for the identity of the role, and everyone speaks differently on different occasions.
Shakespeare sometimes uses elegant and formal language, because the speaker comes from the upper class and is in a formal situation. Sometimes jokes from the lower class even use slang, and sometimes even break taboos to meet the entertainment tastes of ordinary audiences. So it is easy to understand why Hamlet's language is completely different from that of the grave digger.
2. Rhetoric:
Shakespeare skillfully used almost all rhetorical devices in his works, which greatly increased the aesthetic feeling of his works and made his descriptions vivid and thought-provoking. Here, we will discuss several rhetorical devices that critics seldom write but writers often use.
(1) Puns: According to rough statistics, about 3,000 puns are used in Shakespeare's sonnets and plays. Shakespeare has a soft spot for puns, which are used in almost every play. Pun is a kind of wisdom to skillfully use words according to their homophones or similar sounds but different meanings. Shakespeare often creates humorous comedies according to the different meanings of words.
(2) Contradictory rhetoric: putting seemingly contradictory words together produces an allegorical effect. Shakespeare often put some contradictory words together to express the very complicated feelings of the characters.
(3) Irony: Irony means that the literal meaning is contrary to the original intention, aiming at irony or humor. Generally, it can be divided into three types: literal irony, dramatic irony and situational irony.
(4) Metonymy: Metonymy is a rhetorical device that uses the name of one thing to refer to other things. Shakespeare often uses such rhetorical devices to increase the vividness and conciseness of his language.
3. Vocabulary:
/kloc-Great changes are taking place in English in the 6th century. It quotes some fresh and energetic words from many languages. The grammar of English language is also influenced by these foreign languages to some extent, such as less inflections at the end of words; English is developing in the direction of analysis. In this development process, Shakespeare played his role and greatly enriched English vocabulary through borrowing, synthesis, transformation and fiction.
Extended data:
Shakespeare's representative works:
1, Early Works: 1590 to 1600 The central sovereignty of Elizabeth I was still consolidated, and the temporary alliance between the royal family, businessmen and new noble was still developing. 1588 After defeating Spain's "Armada", Britain's national strength was greatly boosted. This makes the author full of optimism about life and believes that humanism can be realized. The historical dramas and comedies created in this period all showed a bright and optimistic style.
Representative works: Romeo and Juliet, Richard II, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King John, Merchant of Venice, Henry IV, Much ado about nothing, Merry Wives of Windsor, Henry V, Happy Everyone, Twelfth Night.
2. Mid-term works: 160 1 ~ 1607. The "enclosure movement" in English countryside is accelerating, the temporary alliance between kingship, bourgeoisie and new noble is disintegrating, social contradictions are deepening, and the political and economic situation is deteriorating. After James I succeeded to the throne, his profligacy and depravity made the people more and more miserable, and they rebelled again and again.
In this case, Shakespeare deeply felt that the contradiction between humanistic ideal and reality was getting bigger and bigger, and his writing style changed from bright optimism to gloomy grief and indignation. The focus of his tragedies is not to praise humanistic ideals, but to expose all kinds of evils and darkness that criticize society.
Representative works: Hamlet (Hamlet), troilus and Cressida, All shall be well that ends well, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth.
3. Later works: 1608 ~ 16 12 James I dynasty was more corrupt and social contradictions were more acute. Shakespeare deeply felt the disillusionment of humanistic ideals and retired to write romantic legendary dramas. His creative style is also romantic and illusory.
Representative works: cymbeline (drama adapted from Boccaccio's story), Winter's Story, The Storm, Henry VIII.
Baidu Encyclopedia-william shakespeare (Renaissance English playwright and poet)