This document provides examples of words and phrases that were first used in literature by William Shakespeare, along with their origins and meanings. It includes over 30 words along with brief definitions or quotations. It also lists common phrases from Shakespeare plays and their modern meanings. Finally, it presents a passage from Macbeth translated into modern English and prompts students to complete translation exercises to build familiarity with Shakespearean language.

1. LO
To know what makes Shakespeare’s language so difficult.
To understand some Shakespearian phrases.
To able to translate Shakespeare’s language into modern
English.
On your post-it note write the
name of one Shakespeare play
and it’s synopsis.

2. The following words were first used in literature (not created) by William
Shakespeare…
‘Assassination’
Macbeth
“if the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success”

3. The following words were first used in literature (not created) by William
Shakespeare…
‘bloody’
Richard III
‘O bloody Richard! —miserable England!’

4. The following words were first used in literature (not created) by William
Shakespeare…
critical
lapse
accommodation
aerial
amazement
apostrophe
assassination
baseless
bump
castigate
changeful
control
countless
courtship
critic
dexterously
dishearten
dislocate
dwindle
eventful
exposure
fitful
frugal
generous
gloomy
gnarled
hurry
impartial
inauspicious
indistinguishable
invulnerable laughable
lonely
majestic
misplaced
monumental
obscene
multitudinous
radiance
reliance
sanctimonious
road sportive
submerge
suspicious

5. When was the last time you said…
"It’s Greek to me"
Julius Caesar
When you say, "it's Greek to me" you are admitting
that you do not know or understand something.

6. When was the last time you said…
“green-eyed monster"
Othello
The Merchant of Venice
When you say, “green-eyed monster"
you are denoting jealousy.

7. When was the last time you said…
“In a pickle"
Tempest
Meaning: to be in a state of confusion

8. Heart's content
High time
Hot-blooded
I have not slept one wink
Love is blind
Out of the jaws of death
Send him packing
Star crossed lovers
The Devil incarnate
The game is up
The Queen's English
There's method in my madness
This is the short and the long of it
This is very midsummer madness
Too much of a good thing
Up in arms
Vanish into thin air
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers
We have seen better days
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Wild goose chase
Other examples…

9. Your turn…
Task 1 – look at the examples on the sheet
you have been given.
In your exercise books, can you translate
these difficult phrases into modern English?
Too easy? – Complete Task 2!
Match the Shakespearian phrases to the modern ones.

10. Change the following scene into modern English:
First Witch: When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch: When the hurlyburly's done
When the battle's lost and won.
Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch: Where the place?
Second Witch: Upon the heath.
Third Witch: There to meet with Macbeth.
First Witch: I come, Graymalkin!
Second Witch: Paddock calls.
Third Witch Anon.
ALL: Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air.