Shakespeare’s English: The Basics – Paperback

Shakespeare’s English: The Basics offers an accessible introduction to Shakespeare’s language, helping readers engage more confidently with his plays and poems.

Exploring Shakespeare’s use of language in the context of the Early Modern English of his time, this book:

• Explains key features of his language, including grammar, speech acts, spelling and punctuation;
• Examines blank verse, rhyme and prose, alongside rhetoric and imagery;
• Discusses recent scholarship on Shakespeare, race and identity, as well as digital approaches to studying his language;
• Provides clear definitions of linguistic terms, chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading.

Writing in a clear, jargon-free style, Johnson gives readers the tools to understand Shakespeare’s linguistic choices and appreciate how they shape meaning and create dramatic and poetic effects.

This book is an ideal starting point for students studying Shakespeare and general readers seeking a deeper understanding and enjoyment of his work.