Julius CaesarVocabulary Development

Unit Target: I can read and analyze a variety of short stories, non fiction, novels, technical selections, and classical works of

literary merit.

Daily Target: I can recognize archaic words to better my understanding of

Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

Archaic Words

Archaic words are words that are no longer commonly used.

In Shakespeare’s writings you find unfamiliar words that have passed out of use altogether, as well as familiar words that have archaic meanings.

The following words are from

Act I of Julius Caesar

Words no longer in common use:

• Ho: hey• Thou: you• Art: are• Wherefore: why• Doth: do• Withal: nevertheless (in spite of that)• Hie: hurry• Ere: before• Ghastly: ghostly

Words whose Meanings have changed

• Naughty: worthless• Hence: depart• Press: crowd• Marry: small promise• Soft: wait a minute• Falling Sickness: seizures• Sad: serious• Peace!: Silence!• Saucy: Presumptuous• Gentle: noble

The following words are from

Act II of Julius Caesar

Words no longer in common use:

• taper: candle• moe: more• tis: it’s• redress: correct a wrong• betimes: at once• yon: demonstrative pronoun that

points at something• prithee: pray thee; beg you

Words whose Meanings have changed

• craves: demands• closet: small private room; study• exhalations: meteors• prick: urge• put on: display• humor: mood

The following words are from

Act III of Julius Caesar

Words no longer in common use:

• belike: probably• wit: intelligence• Ides of March: March 15th

• sirrah: like sir, but used to address an inferior, often intending disrespect or anger

• amiss: out of proper order • puissant: powerful• wilt: Will

Words whose Meanings have changed

• touches: concerns• schedule: scroll of paper• constant: calm• abide: take the consequences of • fall: happen