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How to talk to the supernatural in Shakespeare1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2009

Yang Yonglin
Yang Yonglin
Affiliation:
Foreign Languages Department, Northwest Normal University
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Abstract

The present study concerns itself mainly with Shakespeare's use of thou forms to individual ghosts, witches, and spirits. All of Shakespeare's 37 plays were examined; 10 were systematically searched for stretches of discourse that occur between human beings and supernatural beings. The proposition is advanced that there is a role-governed rule in the use of this pronoun to individual supernatural beings. The illustrations, statistical results, discussion, and citations from other sources support the proposition forcefully; unique exceptions are taken into consideration. Instances that indicate the possibility of a reciprocal use from and between such beings are given as well, together with possible reasons for the usage. (Pronouns of address, Shakespearean studies, supernatural beings)

Type
Articles
Information
Language in Society , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , June 1991 , pp. 247 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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