Shakespearean Translator

Pronouns: thou, thee, thy, and thine

This Shakespearean translator handles pronouns first, because they change most often. When speaking to one person familiarly, use “thou” as the subject in “thou art” and “thee” as the object in “I love thee.” Use “thy” for possession as in “thy hand.” You’ll also see “thine” before vowels, as in “thine eyes,” and on its own, as in “it is thine.” Formal or plural address can still use “you.”

Verb endings: -est and -eth

The verb changes with the subject. With “thou,” some verbs take -est or -st, as in “thou knowest” or “thou canst.” With “he,” “she,” or “it,” a form like “she loveth” uses -eth. Common verbs have forms worth learning on their own, such as “thou hast” and “he hath.”

Word order in questions and negatives

In some questions, the main verb comes before the subject. “Where are you going?” can become “Whither goest thou?” In a negative sentence, “not” can follow the main verb directly. “I don’t know what to do” becomes “I know not what to do.”

When the sentence already has a helping verb like “will” or “can,” keep the sense that verb carries. In “Wilt thou come with me?” the question is an invitation. In “I will not go,” “will” expresses the speaker’s resolve and “not” keeps the refusal clear.

Shakespearean English and Old English

Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English, which shares many familiar words and patterns with today’s English. Old English is the much earlier language of Anglo-Saxon works such as Beowulf, with its own vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. This Shakespearean translator rewrites your text in a style inspired by Shakespeare’s plays.

Modern and Shakespearean sentences side by side

Read each modern sentence next to its Shakespearean version. The first two speak to one person familiarly. In the third, the change from “has” to “hath” keeps the verb in the present perfect. “I will not go” already fits the style. The last two show how to ask someone to wait or invite them to come along.

• Do you love me? → Lovest thou me?
• You are my friend. → Thou art my friend.
• She has gone home. → She hath gone home.
• I will not go. → I will not go.
• Your eyes are bright. → Thine eyes are bright.
• You can rest here. → Thou canst rest here.
• I gave it to you. → I gave it to thee.
• Please wait here until I return. → I pray thee, tarry here till I return.
• Will you come with me? → Wilt thou come with me?

Common mistakes

Start with the relationship between the speakers. A line to a close friend can sound different from the same line to a stranger. Once you choose a form of address, follow the subject through the sentence, especially when the verb comes first in a question.

• Use “thou” for one person in familiar address. For a polite greeting to a stranger or a greeting to a group, keep “you.” A change of pronoun in dialogue can also signal a change in the speakers’ relationship.
• Pair -est with “thou,” as in “thou knowest.” The ending in “you knoweth” disagrees with its subject. Use “you know” for formal or plural address and “she knoweth” for third-person singular.
• Use “thee” as an object, as in “I gave it to thee.” If the person is doing the action, use “thou.” In “I heard thee when thou calledst,” the same person appears first as the object of “heard” and then as the subject of “calledst.”

Common Shakespearean phrases

A short phrase can set the tone of a whole exchange. Choose one that fits what the speaker is doing, such as greeting a guest, asking a favor, or answering someone who is calling from another room.

• “Good morrow” means “good morning.” Use it when two characters meet early in the day.
• “Fare thee well” means “goodbye” and wishes the other person well as they leave.
• “I pray thee” means “please” or “I ask you.” It can introduce a request such as “I pray thee, stay a while.”
• “What sayest thou?” asks what one person thinks. It can follow an offer or a proposal.
• “Anon, anon” means “in a moment” or “I’m coming.” It works as a quick reply when someone is calling for you.