Master the art of writing in Shakespearean English with practical tips and advice. Learn how to use thee, thou, thy and write like the Bard himself.
Start Using "Thee," "Thou," and "Thy" – But Get Them Right
Old pronouns sell the vibe fast. Use "thou" as the subject (you), "thee" as the object (I see thee), and "thy/thine" for your (thy before consonants, thine before vowels). They were the casual forms back then, so drop them when characters are close or talking down.
Add "-eth" or "-st" to Your Verbs
For third person, tack on "-eth": "he walketh," "she thinketh." For "thou," use "-st/-est": "thou walkest," "thou knowest." Memorize a few specials: "he doth," "she hath," "thou art." Instant period feel.
Flip Your Word Order for Drama
Shuffle words for effect: "What say you?" instead of "What do you say?" or "This I know" for "I know this." Drop adjectives after nouns now and then ("a thing most strange"). Small flips add a poetic, stagey feel—no need to overdo it.
Throw in Some Classic Shakespearean Words
Season lightly with classics: "prithee" (please), "methinks" (I think), "anon" (soon), "forsooth" (truly), "hither" (here), "hence" (away). One or two per paragraph is plenty.
Make Everything More Poetic and Visual
Paint pictures, don’t just state facts. Swap "I'm sad" for "My heart is heavy" or "Melancholy grips me." Try "night’s dark mantle" instead of just "night." A couple of vivid words go far.
Use "Dost," "Doth," "Didst," and Other Helper Verbs
Old helper verbs tighten the style: "Dost thou understand?" (Do you), "He doth protest too much" (he does), "Didst thou see him?" (did you). Sprinkle them to keep sentences feeling period-true.
Don't Forget About "Ye," "Hither," "Thither," and "Whither"
"Ye" works as plural/formal "you." "Hither" = here, "thither" = there, "whither" = to where. “Come hither” or “Whither goest thou?” drop you straight into the setting.
Read It Out Loud to Test the Rhythm
Say it out loud. If a line feels clunky, tweak it. Add or cut a word until it flows—actors need rhythm, and so does your page.