A Diachronic Syntactic Study of Shakespeare’s Language in King Lear: Marked Word Order, Periphrastic Do, and Pronoun Usage

초록

This study presents a diachronic syntactic analysis of William Shakespeare’s works, with particular focus on King Lear, examining marked word order, the use of periphrastic do, and variations in pronoun usage. The analysis reveals significant insights into marked word order, indicating that Shakespeare used specific forms of marked word order not just for rhythm but to construct a unique linguistic world of intricate syntax. A detailed examination of the use of periphrastic do shows the increasing prevalence of periphrastic do in various syntactic environments, including emphatic affirmatives, negative declaratives, interrogatives, and negative imperatives. Additionally, the research explores the nuanced usage of second-person pronouns and possessive adjectives, and particularly the distinctions between thou (thee, thy) and ye (you, your). It demonstrates how Shakespeare strategically used these forms to convey social hierarchies, emotional nuance, and shifting power dynamics among characters. By adopting a diachronic syntactic approach, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of Early Modern English syntax and Shakespeare’s role in its development from Old English and Middle English to Present-day English.

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