Everything Old is New Again!Translating Early Modern English into Modern EnglishBelow are some lines from some of William Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, written in EarlyModern English. On the lines below each quote, translate each sentence into Modern English, as we might speak it today.
"To thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou can'st not then be false to any man." Hamlet, Act i, Sc.3
You must always be true not fake. To uour self and to others.
"What is best, that best I wish in thee." Troilus & C, Act ii, Sc.2
What ever is the best I wish for.
"Safe may'st thou wander, safe return again!" Cymbeline, Act iii, Sc.5
Travels safety and return safety
"Give me thy hand, 'tis late; farewell, good night." Rom & Jul, Act iii, Sc.3
Give me your had, it is late, goodnight.
"Have more than though showest; speak less than thou knowest; lend less than thou owest." K Lear, Act i, Sc.4
"Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear, thy dial how thy precious minutes waste."Sonnet 77
The mirror shows how one looks bot not what is inside.
"This above all: to thine own self be true." Hamlet, Act i, Sc.3
Above all else be true to yourself.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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