Because of the oddities and complexities inherent in the language of Shakespeare, sometimes his works seem foreign and incomprehensible. However, many people will be surprised to know that William Shakespeare's English-is technically modern English!

That's right, the same language spoken by William Shakespeare is still in use today, and the language is distinct from Middle English.

Here's a handy list of some of the more common words used by Shakespeare with the words translated to the words which are more common today:

1. ABHOR - To reject, disdain
2. ABSOLUTE - Without flaw, perfect
3. ADDICTION - Tendency, proneness
4. BALK - To hesitate, chop; to dispute
5. BRAVE - Handsome
6. CHARACTER - Letter, word
7. COIL - Distress, trouble
8. COUCH - To go to sleep
9. CUNNING - Clever, sharp
10. DELATION - Accusation
11. DESERVING - Merit, reward
12. DRAW - To bring near, call to
13. EGAL - Equal
14. EMBOSS - To track with the intent to kill
15. EXPEDIENCE - Quickness
16. FANCY - To desire
17. FEAR - To scare, frighten
18. FRONT - To oppose, affront, object
19. GAST - Scared, aghast
20. GRAVE - To inter, bury
21. HEAVY - Sad, painful, mournful
22. HONEST - Pure
23. INHERIT - Given; to accept or believe
24. INTPINSE - Impossible to untangle
25. JUDICIOUS - Fair, equitable
26. KNAP - To hit, strike
27. KNAVE - A young boy, a servant
28. LAND - Yard
29. LAPSED - Shocked, overcome
30. MAD - Crazy, wild
31. MATE - To confuse; to match
32. NOTE - Bill, list; to take note of
33. O'ER-RAUHOT, O'ER WROGHT - Overcome
34. OUGHT - Privy to, promised
35. PAINFUL - Difficult, hard to do
36. PALL - To wrap up
37. PARTICOAT - To cover in colorful fabric
38. PERPEND - To think of, consider
39. QUAINT - Beautiful, ornate
40. QUAKE - To shake, tremble
41. QUICKEN - To bring to life, bring to one's senses
42. RAPTURE - A fit, ecstasy
43. RETIRE - To go to bed, to retreat
44. RAVIN - Likely to destroy; hunger
45. RESPECT - Forethought, consideration
46. SHRIFT - To admit
47. SIMULAR - Counterfeit
48. STILL - Always, forever
49. SUBSCRIPTION - Acquiescence, obedience
50. TAKE - To overtake; to enthrall
51. TAX - Blame, censure
52. TESTY - Worrisome
53. TRIGON - A triangle
54. UNDERGO - To take on
55. UNPREGNANT - Idiotic, inane
56. VILE - Disgusting, hateful
57. VINDICATIVE - Vengeful
58. WALL-EYED - Wide-eyed, angry, surprised
59. WANT - To lack YARE - Prepared, ready
60. YOUNG - Recent
61. ZANY - Idiotic, clownish
ENGLISH TO ELIZABETHAN TRANSLATOR

Elizabethan refers to Queen Elizabeth, who reigned until she died in 1603. To understand what the language of the day was, we should consider the writings of William Shakespeare, who died in 1616. The last of Shakespeare's works to be printed were finished in 1609. So Shakespeare wrote in "Elizabethan English." The translators were done with the KJV in 1611. Shakespeare's works are still being performed all over the English speaking world and hold up in attracting an audience. People still go to watch Shakespeare.
This website may be helpful in fulfilling the above purpose :

http://www.museangel.net/speak.html

Elizabethan Era England Life: This site gives information on various aspects of life during Elizabethan Times in England.

It covers Elizabethan Costumes/Clothing for men and women, Elizabethian Fashion, Crime, Torture, Theater/Stage, Arts and Culture, Family, Children, Family, Sports/Games, Education, Medicine and many other facts about the Elizabethan Period. Elizabethan Age is considered as a golden Era in English History. There is also information on Famous Pirates, Famous Woman Pirates, Pirate Costumes, Pirate Ships, Famous Explorers and Spanish Armada