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In the works of Shakespeare , the most wonderful genius…

“In the works of Shakespeare , the most wonderful genius the world has ever known, there is the enormous number of 15,000 different words, but almost 10,000 of them are obsolete or meaningless today.” quote by Joseph Devlin
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““In the works of Shakespeare , the most wonderful genius the world has ever known, there is the enormous number of 15,000 different words, but almost 10,000 of them are obsolete or meaningless today.””

Joseph Devlin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Shakespeare's vocabulary was vast, yet most words are now obsolete or meaningless.

In simple terms: Many Shakespeare words are outdated today.

Key Takeaway

Recognize language evolves over time.

Themes

language history literature

Mood

reflective academic

Type

analytical historical

When to use this quote

  • studying classic literature
  • teaching English
  • writing modern adaptations

Key Concepts

lexicography cultural change

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does language change affect our reading of classics?
  • Can we revive useful archaic words?
A Different Perspective

Obsolescence may limit relevance of older texts.

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