18 June 2010

Shakespeare, of course

If we think of Shakespeare as the greatest writer the world has ever produced (I do), then we have to deal with his mixing of languages in his work.  For example, here are some lines from Love's Labours Lost, Act 5, Scene 1:


Laus Deo, bene intelligo.
HOLOFERNES
Bon, bon, fort bon, Priscian! a little scratch'd,
'twill serve.
SIR NATHANIEL
Videsne quis venit?
HOLOFERNES
Video, et gaudeo.

1 comment:

  1. Anthony Burgess used slang from other languages to a quite good effect in Clockwork. I think it is on the writer to know how something sounds best not just impressive.

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