ABSTRACT

Shakespeare tells actors how to let the words do the work by using the difference between the words you and thee. A good example of this is the scene between Antipholus and his servant Dromio, from the play The Comedy of Errors. Antipholus is in fact talking to the twin of his servant, who does not know what on earth he is talking about. When the words thou, thy, thine, or thee are used by Antipholus, the words for intimate or quiet speaking, we have put a T in the margin; when it is the more formal or loud you or your, we put a corresponding Y. Antipholus switches to the thy mode when actually asking about the money and where it is, and back to the you mode when he shows his anger with Dromio. It seems he dare not be too angry or abusive until he finds out exactly where his money has got to.