- Use of vivid and engaging language: In order to capture the attention of his audience and keep them entertained, Shakespeare used language that was rich, descriptive, and emotionally charged. This meant using a wide range of words, including many that were not in common usage at the time, and also employing figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, and personification.
- Rhymed verse: Shakespeare's plays were written in verse, and this meant that he had to pay attention to the sound and rhythm of his words as well as their meaning. This led to the use of rhyming couplets, which helped to create a sense of musicality and flow in the plays.
- Use of humor: Shakespeare's plays often contained humorous elements, and this meant that he needed to use words that would make the audience laugh. This included puns, jokes, and wordplay.
- Use of slang and colloquialisms: Shakespeare's plays were often set in everyday settings, and this meant that he used language that was realistic and believable for the characters in his plays. This included slang and colloquialisms, which helped to create a sense of authenticity.
- Adapting language for different characters: Shakespeare's plays featured a wide range of characters, from kings and queens to peasants and clowns, and this meant that he needed to adapt his language to suit the different characters. For example, he used more formal and elevated language for the upper-class characters, and more informal and colloquial language for the lower-class characters.
Overall, the fact that Shakespeare's plays were performed had a significant impact on his word choices and language. He used language that was vivid, engaging, and memorable, and he adapted his language to suit the different characters and situations in his plays. This helped to create plays that were not only entertaining, but also powerful and thought-provoking.