No Subject

[Unregistered]

yes it is easier when it translated into more modern terms. The newer terms let you relate to the play, giving you more understanding of the true emotions felt and acted in the play. Almost as if it drags you into it.

[Till Bolger]

To translate Elizabethan into modern English is to desecrate the play. We should try to adjust ourselves to such a noble language, as respectful to Shakespeare's language as to his genius.

[Falstaff]

This is written in Modern English. There is Old English, which would be unreadable to the untrained eye (this is what Beowulf was written in), Middle English, which can be picked up and understood up to a certain point (this is what The Canterbury Tales were written in), and finally there is Modern English, which is what Shakepeare wrote all of his plays in. What you are having trouble with is the style and certain words that are no longer used. But it is still Modern English.

[Daisy]

Was wondering what modern translation you used, web or book? I might give it a go myself just to try and understand the text more intimately. Could you reccomend me the title?

[Brittany]

I agree with Till Bolger, the reader misses almost everything great about Shakespeare reading it in modern English, especially with Hamlet where just about everything has a double meaning in Elizabethan English that one just cannot translate. Heck, Elizabethan English is often easier to understand than modern English! Think how less confusing everything would be if we used both "you" and "ye" instead of just "you"! If the majority of people could understand me, I would speak Elizabethan English all the time!

[Unregistered]

The language used in most of Shakespears works is so hard to understand. I love Hamlet, but it is easier to read when it has been translated into mdern English.

[dr1ft]

It gets easier as you become older and are exposed to wider literature. You then realize Shakespeare said everything that is worth saying and in a way that is impossible to top.

[el01ks]

The more shakespearean english you read, the easier it gets. Start off with an edition that has the translation on the opposite page for the words that you don't understand, and then once you get used to it you'll pick up the vocabulary a bit. I don't always know what every word means, but can understand more than enough to get the gist!