Romeo and Juliet

1. Here are some common Elizabethan words and phrases to help you in your understanding as you read Shakespeare's works:

   1. adieu: farewell

2. an: and: if

3. anon: soon

4. aroint: get thee gone

5. attend: listen to

6. aye: yes

7. but soft: wait a minute

8. but: only; except for

9. counsel: advice

10. coz: kinsman

11. decree: order

12. discourses: speaks

13. dispatch: kill

14. doth: does

15. e'en: even

16. e'er: ever

17. foe: enemy

18. haply: perhaps

19. happy: fortunate

20. heavy: sad; depressed

21. hence: away from here

22. hie: go: hurry

23. hither: here

24. mark: pay attention

25. marry: indeed

26. methinks: I think

27. nay: no

28. nought: nothing

29. plague: curse

30. pray: beg

31. privy: allowed to know a secret

32. resolve: plan

33. sirrah: used to address people of inferior rank; like boy

34. thee: thou: you

35. thither: there

36. thou art: you are

37. thy: your

38. tidings: news

39. whence: where

40. wherefore: why

41. will: desire

42. wilt: will you

43. withal: in addition

44. woe: misery

45. woo: chase, as in a boy/girl chase

46. would: wish

Crash Course Romeo and Juliet Part I