The History of English Podcast Episode 172: Succession
Nov 20, 2023
Explore the succession conflict in France during the 1500s and its influence on Shakespeare's plays. Discover the linguistic changes in the pronunciation of words like 'succession' and the shift in consonant sounds. Delve into the comedic confusion and mistaken identity in 'The Comedy of Errors' and the mix-up of love letters in 'Succession'. Learn about the origins and context of 'Richard III' and its portrayal of succession.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Y-Glide Triggered Pronunciation Cheats
- A y-glide in vowels (as in u or i+vowel) triggered consonant palatalization, causing d→j and t→ch before those vowels.
- Rapid speech and unstressed syllables encouraged these natural 'cheats' in pronunciation.
Shakespeare Used Pronunciation Flexibly
- Shakespeare exploited pronunciation variation to fit iambic pentameter, using both older and newer syllable counts.
- Lines in The Comedy of Errors mix modern and older pronunciations like estimation/intrusion vs. succession/possession.
Richard III Dramatizes A Violent Succession
- Richard III dramatizes succession by showing Richard's murderous rise and the Tudors' replacement at Bosworth Field.
- The play helped cement Richard's sinister reputation in Tudor England and beyond.