Shakespeare the wordsmith

We discussed on Monday how Shakespeare "ratcheted up" the English language in his plays. He did not reflect how people spoke, yet lent his characters such a force of words that they have lasted through the centuries. I think this is in part to the words he invented, or brought into English from other languages. Like a painter mixing in new colors to get something just right, Shakespeare came up with new words to fit his thoughts. While he may not have been aware of it at the time, expanding the English vocabulary is one of his greatest legacies and one of the reasons Shakespeare has remained very relevant long after his hour upon the stage has passed.

What I found interesting in the Hugh's essay was how Shakespeare would introduce new words in his plays. He gave contextual clues as to their meaning so that the aristocracy and the uneducated alike could understand their meaning. Giving this power of language to the masses must have helped with his popularity. He helped level the playing field, at least from a vocabulary stand point, across the different classes in London.

It is something of a wonder for Shakespeare to have invented words and impacted the English language so, but also do it in a way that was accessible to all. Think of the new words that are invented today, or used to describe cutting edge technologies and the latest in thought. The density of the vocabulary probably keeps some people away from learning more about subjects that interest them. Why bother learning about string theory if you have to look up every other word. Shakespeare did not turn the laymen away, but instead invited them into the world of his plays.