DeWitt's Rules for Shakespeare

According to Rule #1, what does the word "thou" mean in Shakespeare's language?

• They

• You

• Thou (no change in meaning)

• Them

How is the informal 2nd person pronoun represented in Shakespeare's works?

• You

• Thy

• Thee

• Thou

What is the purpose of using apostrophes in Shakespeare's contractions, as mentioned in Rule #2?

• To add emphasis on certain words

• To indicate omitted letters

• To create new words

• To signal a change in pronunciation

What does "i’th’mid’o’th’night" mean?

• In the middle of the night

• It's the midnight

• In the midst of the night

• Inside the midnight hour

According to Rule #3, why did Shakespeare write dialogue in a poetic form?

• To confuse readers and actors

• To create a realistic representation of speech

• To add musical quality to his plays

• To adhere to the writing standards of his time

How should one read Shakespeare's poetry, based on the guidance provided?

• Pause at every line break

• Ignore punctuation and focus on rhyme

• Pause with punctuation, not at the end of lines

• Read quickly to understand the overall meaning

What is Shakespeare's primary reason for including jokes in his plays according to Rule #4

• To demonstrate his wit and intelligence

• To engage and entertain the audience

• To fill space within his plays

• To confuse the audience with hidden meanings

How does Shakespeare often make his jokes?

• Through sophisticated word play with proper language

• By making references to classical literature

• By using dirty or filthy humor

• Through complex narrative twists

When you encounter "-ed" at the end of a verb in Shakespeare's work, how should it be pronounced according to the guidelines?

• Silently

• As a separate syllable

• Quickly and softly

• It varies based on the verb

What does the example from "Titus Andronicus" illustrate about Shakespeare's use of language?

• His preference for tragic over comedic elements

• His skill in creating complex characters

• His use of language to deliver impactful sick burns

• His focus on historical accuracy in dialogues