In Search of Shakespeare’s Vocabulary
In Search of Shakespeare’s Vocabulary No other author-ancient, modern and postmodern- has a richer vocabulary than Shakespeare. Shakespeare used about 29,000 words in his writings. Milton employed 8,000 words. The Iliad and Odyssey together used 9,000 words; in the New Testament, there are about 4800 words used. It may be further added that an average person uses only about 500 words. The main reason behind Shakespeare using about 29,000 words is that he was writing about many different types of theme-the treachery, lust, jealousy, ingratitude, the follies of the great, and a thousand other moods and passions. A large number of conceits, phrases and a large number of coined words in his tragedies, comedies and sonnets makes his style monumental. The use of antitheses and paradox Shakespeare’s plays makes his style unique. For example,in Macbeth,we can notice the following lines: 1. Nothing is But what is not 2. The insane root That takes the reason prisoner. 3. Ange...