Task 1
Consider the following examples, which are all taken from different plays by Shakespeare, and pay attention for the way the negation is expressed!
- I do not sue to stand.
- Or if there were, it not belongs to you.
- O, doe not wish one more.
- Andronicus, staine not thy Tombe with blood.
- Came he not home to night?
- Doe not muse at me, my most worthy friends?
- My lord, I will not.
- Let not light see my black and deep desires.
- Be not a niggard of your speech: how goes't?
- Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever…
Did speakers of Early Modern English have more or less freedom in forming negations than we have today?
They obviously had more freedom.
They had less freedom.
