PRAGMATICS AND FUNCTION OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN SHAKESPEARE’S DRAMATIC WORKS
Keywords:
phraseology, Shakespeare, pragmatics, dramatic discourse, Early Modern English, idiomatic expressions, corpus linguisticsAbstract
This article examines the pragmatic functions and communicative roles of phraseological units in William Shakespeare's dramatic works. Through corpus linguistic analysis of selected plays including Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear, the research identifies how Shakespeare employed idiomatic expressions, proverbs, and formulaic phrases to enhance character development, advance plot dynamics, and create multilayered meanings. The findings reveal that phraseological units serve as powerful tools for encoding cultural knowledge, establishing social hierarchies, and facilitating audience comprehension while maintaining poetic complexity. The study contributes to understanding Shakespeare's linguistic innovation and the pragmatic dimensions of Early Modern English dramatic discourse.
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