What is 'i' short for in Shakespeare language?

Answer 1

It's usually short for 'in', as in "I'faith, sir". Pronounce it "ih". NOT "eye". If you read the passage aloud, pronouncing i' as a short vowel sound rather than a long one (hither instead of mine), you should get a feel for the intended meaning. Often, Shakespeare would use i' to underscore a character's lower-class dialect or hurried speech.

In performance, some think it's best to just pronounce the entire word (again, usually 'in') as modern theatre places a great amount of emphasis on clarity. The most important thing is getting the point across to the audience: you don't want themwandering what i' means, because it could distract them from the work at large. On the other hand, most actors and directors keep the i' without changing them to "in". They find that the rhythms work better that way.
in

Answer 2

Shakespeare's language was English. "I" in English is "I". "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent . . ." (Macbeth) "It is I, Hamlet the Dane" (Hamlet) " Ispeak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know." (Julius Caesar) "I am a man more sinn'd against than sinning." (King Lear)

Answer 3

The "I apostrophe" in Shakespeare (e.g. a plague i' the land) is a poetic form of "in" and it is pronounce "ih", not "eye".

Answer 4

i' usually means 'in' in Shakespeare's plays.

prounounce it just like "in", but without the "n". So, like "ih". NOT "eye".

Answer 5

Shakespeare's alphabet was very similar to today's. The S looked a little like an f, and sometimes a y was used in place of the i, but the i was the same.

Answer 6

Shakespeare wrote in English. "I" in English is "I". Always. Take a brief scout through anything Shakespeare wrote and you will find that he never uses another word to mean this.

Answer 7

Usually "in". The apostrophe follows the i, making it i'.

Answer 8

He usually says I.