Discuss the particular features of Shakespeare’s use of the English
language.
Answer: The
English language has been in constant transition throughout its history, but
the most significant transformation in modern English can be credited to
William Shakespeare. With Shakespeare’s invention of commonly used expressions,
his creation of new words, and his use of iambic pentameter, he was able to
affect the language in a way that no person since has. Shakespeare’s influence
on modern English is not only visible in everyday speech, but also in the
fact that his work has survived over four hundred years and it continues to be
performed and read worldwide.
Shakespeare’s ability to mold the English
language into eloquently written poetry gave him the ability to
affect the language as he did. Hundreds of clichés that are used daily by
English speakers were invented in Shakespeare’s writings. Few people are aware,
but expressions such as “dead as a doornail” (Henry IV, Part II) or “something
wicked this way comes” (Macbeth) can both be accredited to Shakespeare. In The
Story of English, Bernard Levin writes that “if [the reader] cannot understand
my argument, and [declares] ‘It's Greek to me’, you are quoting Shakespeare” 