Astonishing Quote by Stephen Greenblatt
“First of all, there was a volcano of words, an eruption of words that Shakespeare had never used before that had never been used in the English language before. It's astonishing. It pours out of him.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Shakespeare's Language, Stephen Greenblatt, 2019
Shakespeare introduced a flood of new words, expanding English dramatically and showcasing his linguistic creativity.
In simple terms: Shakespeare invented many words, enriching English.
Explore and appreciate linguistic innovation in literature.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- teaching literature
- writing workshops
- language studies
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Which Shakespearean neologism intrigues you most?
- How does language evolution affect modern reading?
New words can be misunderstood without context.