Talk Like Shakespeare Day

Are you ready to talk like Shakespeare? On April 23rd, people around the world celebrate Talk Like Shakespeare Day. This day is all about using the language that William Shakespeare used in his plays and sonnets. Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writers in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and performed today. In this blog post, we will explore the history of Talk Like Shakespeare Day, learn about some of Shakespeare's most famous words and phrases, and discover why his language is still important today.

Celebrating Talk Like Shakespeare Day

Talk Like Shakespeare Day was first celebrated in 2009. The day was created by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to celebrate the playwright's life and work. Since then, Talk Like Shakespeare Day has grown in popularity and is now celebrated by people all over the world. The goal of the day is to have fun with language and to appreciate the beauty of Shakespeare's words.

One way to celebrate Talk Like Shakespeare Day is by using some of his most famous words and phrases. For example, instead of saying "hello," you could say "good morrow." Instead of saying "yes," you could say "aye." And if you want to express your love for someone, you could say "shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

Another way to celebrate Talk Like Shakespeare Day is by reading or performing one of his plays. Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, including classics like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth. Many of his plays are still performed today and have been adapted into movies, TV shows, and even musicals.

The Language of Shakespeare

Shakespeare's language is known for its beauty, complexity, and poetic rhythm. He wrote in a style called iambic pentameter, which consists of 10 syllables per line with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This pattern gives his language a musical quality and makes it easy to remember.

In addition to his use of iambic pentameter, Shakespeare is also known for his clever wordplay and puns. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio says, "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man." The word "grave" can mean both serious and dead, and Mercutio is using wordplay to make a joke about his impending death.

Shakespeare also invented many words and phrases that are still in use today. Some of his most famous inventions include "bedazzled," "eyeball," and "swagger." He also used words in new and unexpected ways, such as using "heart" to mean love or "weird" to mean supernatural.

Shakespeare's Legacy

Shakespeare's language and works continue to be studied and performed today, over 400 years after his death. His plays are still relevant because they deal with universal themes like love, jealousy, power, and revenge. They also offer insights into the human condition and the complexities of human relationships.

In addition to his literary legacy, Shakespeare has also had a lasting impact on the English language. His words and phrases have become part of our everyday vocabulary, and his influence can be seen in the works of other writers and poets.