3.3 Early Modern English Period
In Early Modern English, fiction and drama insults are frequent genres of literature. Especially Shakespeare is perceived as a rich source for examples of insults. From the definition of insult, we see that one of the most important aspects of insults is their effect on the addressee. Therefore, Shakespeare's dramas are a good source for studying insults. The reaction of the addressee is explicitly stated and apparent to the audience. Furthermore, the genre of drama can help us in gaining knowledge about historical social conventions.
Historical background