Shakespearean Syntax

1
Shakespearean Syntax
Inversion
Digression
Ellipsis
2
Inversion
Inverting, or reversing the position of, parts of
a sentence. Click on Yoda to watch him invert
his sentences.
Jedi master Yoda often inverts his sentences.
3
Inversion The Basics
Inversion is what it sounds like words are
inverted from their usual order. Generally, the
words are just moved around, without any
additions or deletions.
can
Tricky
be
Tricky
inversion
be!
inversion
can
(So can lining up words, apparently!)
4
Inversion try some.
On the lines, rewrite each sentence in more
straightforward syntax. Click on the check mark
to check your work.
Late is my homework. Pop goes the weasel. To
bed I go. Hot is Johnny Depp. Stunned I was
to see such a sight.
My homework is late.
The weasel goes pop.
I go to bed.
Johnny Depp is hot.
I was stunned to see such a sight.
5
Inversion Shakespeare Style
Rewrite the lines from act I below. Compare your
work with two other peers, and call me over if
theres a conflict.
Me they shall feel while I am able to
stand(I.i.29).
O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad
I am he was not at this fray (I.i.118-119).
Towards him I made(I.i.126).
Many a morning hath he there been seen.(I.i.134).
6
Inversion Finding the Purpose
Sometimes Shakespeare inverts his lines to make
his meter or rhyme work. Most of the time,
though, he inverts to enhance his meaning. For
example, if Capulet were to ask Tybalt whom he
fought that day, he might say, The Montagues did
I beat down, instead of I beat down the
Montagues. That way, the Montagues are stressed,
focusing Tybalts rage, and his sentence, on the
despised enemy. In the section below, identify
the inversion, then write it out in the more
usual order. What does Shakespeare gain by the
inversion?
Under loves heavy burden do I sink (I.iv.24).
(Write the sentence in more regular syntax here.)
(What does Shakespeare gain by writing it the way
he did?)
7
Inversion Got it? Prove it!
Now that you know what each line would say if it
were written in regular syntax, read the lines
the way Shakespeare wrote them. Emphasize the
words that Shakespeare seems to focus on with his
inversion. Then, when youre ready, exit out of
the show, head to the Slide Show menu, and choose
Record Narration. Read each line twice, proving
to me that you get its meaning. (Feel free to
underline words you plan to emphasize.)
Me they shall feel while I am able to
stand(I.i.29).
O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad
I am he was not at this fray (I.i.118-119).
Towards him I made(I.i.126).
Many a morning hath he there been seen.(I.i.134).
8
Finished you are.

• (And funny am I.)