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Hamlet

Practice: Shakespeare's Language

An exercise that asks students to put five lines from Act 1, Scene 1 into contemporary English.

By Rick Reed

Shakespeare Hamlet Shakespeare's language Exercise

ENGLISH 11AP – Literature and Composition:

Practice – Shakespeare’s Language

Render the following lines from the first scene of Act I of Hamlet into contemporary English.

  1. ’Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco.
  2. For this relief much thanks. ’Tis bitter cold.
  3. Bernardo hath my place. Give you good night.
  4. Horatio says ’tis but our fantasy
    And will not let belief take hold of him
    Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us.
  5. Let’s do’t. I pray, and I this morning know
    Where we shall find him most convenient.