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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.” quote by Stephen Greenblatt
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“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.”

Stephen Greenblatt

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.

Key Takeaway

Explore and appreciate linguistic innovation in literature.

Themes

literature language innovation

Mood

analytical enthusiastic

Type

educational inspirational

When to use this quote

  • teaching literature
  • writing workshops
  • language studies

Key Concepts

neologisms linguistic creativity historical impact

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which Shakespearean neologism intrigues you most?
  • How does language evolution affect modern reading?
A Different Perspective

New words can be misunderstood without context.

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