YOU and THOU - Why The Difference Matters When Acting Shakespeare
When you are preparing to take on a Shakespeare role, it may be the iambic pentameter that stands out as your greatest assistance. The regular rhythm that Shakespeare beat through all of his plays and sonnets is the greatest guide for actors to his own intention for the lines. But one of the most overlooked, yet useful elements is the choice of the character to use the word ‘You’ or the word ‘Thou’.
To the modern ear, undoubtedly, THOU sounds pretty old fashioned. And is it any different from YOU anyway? Well, yes, in Shakespeare’s world, in the Elizabeth and Jacobean time, the different carried meaning of social hierarchy, emotional temperature, character, relationship and power.
So as an actor, prepping a Shakespeare role, a monologue for audition, or just studying one of his plays - learning about the difference between YOU and THOU could really offer you some golden opportunities.
YOU: This is the regular one we all use today. BUT - In Shakespeare’s time, it carried more respect and politeness. Shakespeare uses YOU when a character is speaking to someone of higher status, is aiming to be respectful, or wishes to keep some emotional distance. ‘YOU’ is a courtesy. And you can adapt your approach to those lines, that role or the other character in the moment, to reflect the formality being implied by the use of that word.
Example:
When Desdemona defends her love for Othello to her father:
“I do perceive here a divided duty:
To you I am bound for life and education;
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;
I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband...”
The character may think and feel many things, but on the surface, they are choosing to appear courteous and respectful.
You could use formal distance between yourself and your scene partner to explore this shift into the formality and restraint of YOU.
THOU: To us, thou sounds very old fashioned and stilted. But in Shakespeare’s time it is informal. It can be used tenderly, such as when Romeo says:
“I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptised;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.”
When is THOUh used? When a character is speaking to someone close, intimate, or a child. When showing strong emotions - and not just nicely, it can be an expression of mockery, rage - like when Kent tears into Goneril’s servant, Oswald:
“Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter!
My lord, if you'll give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar and daub the wall of a jakes with him.”
So strong emotions such as love or fury can be expressed through Thou too.
If YOU is the mask of formality, THOU takes away that mask. The character is either opening up, or they’re lashing out. You could use intimate distance between yourself and your scene partner to explore this shift into THOU.
When you get your script, work through it and notate when your characters use either THOU and YOU. What does that choice tell you about the relationship in that moment? What’s the subtext there? Explore physical proximity around the use of those terms, how can you make it more intimate, how can you show restraint and formalise the moment.
Does it change? When does it change? Is it an honest change?
Learning the difference between THOU and YOU as an actor unlocks something in the scene that you might otherwise be unaware of.
Enjoy exploring those new clues to acting Shakespeare!
PS. We’ve got loads of great resources for Shakespeare monologues here
