Reading a Shakespeare Play

Romeo & Juliet
Lesson 1

Complete the vocabulary lesson to become familiar with Shakespearean language.

Shakespeare Hashtag It Out

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is famous for its language. Shakespeare used—and sometimes invented—many strange and wonderful words while writing this play. Some of these unusual words are actually older versions of the nouns, pronouns, and prepositions that we know today.

Read the following status updates from Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, and Tybalt. Choose the option that best answers each question.

​“Doth” is a verb that means “does.”

“Hath/Hast” is a verb that means “has.”

“Art” is a verb that means “are.”

“Thou/Thee” are pronouns that means “you.”
"Thy" is a pronoun that means "your"

"Lest" is a conjunction that means "in case" or "for fear that"
"Shalt" is a verb that means "shall"

​Remember the following definitions as you work through these activities:

Multiple Choice

Read the status update of this oversharer below, and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@romeoromeo: Doth this party have a snack table?

What does the word “doth” mean in this status?

Responses

• 
  

• #does

• #will

• #should

Multiple Choice

Read the status update and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@mercutio: My hilarious joke hath angered @romeoromeo.

What does the word “hath” mean in this status?

Responses

• 
  

• #will

• #has

• #won't

Multiple Choice

Read the status update and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@juliet14: Art these the only boys at this party? I should go home.

What does the word “art” mean in this status?

• #where

• #who

• #are

Multiple Choice

Read the status update and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@romeoromeo: @juliet14, thou art the most beautiful person at this party.

What does the word “thou” mean in this status?

• 
  

• #she

• #you

• #her

Multiple Choice

Read the status update and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@juliet14: Why doth this party feel as though it is never ending?

What does the word “doth” mean in this status?

• #meet

• #will

• #does

Multiple Choice

Read the status update and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@bigtybalt: Why hath @romeoromeo come to this party?

What does the word “hath” mean in this status?

• #has

• #won't

• #will

Multiple Choice

Read the status update and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@mercutio: My friends, why art your faces so very serious?

What does the word “art” mean in this status?

• 
  

• #can

• #do

• #are

Multiple Choice

Read the status update and pick which hashtag best fits the status.

@juliet14: @romeoromeo, thou art very intense.

What does the word “thou” mean in this status?

• #him

• #you

• #they