Issues and challenges in compiling a corpus of Early Modern English plays for comparison with those of William Shakespeare

Demmen, Jane (2020) Issues and challenges in compiling a corpus of Early Modern English plays for comparison with those of William Shakespeare. ICAME Journal, 44 (1). pp. 37-68. ISSN 1502-5462

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Abstract

Abstract In this article I discuss the issues and challenges of compiling a corpus of historical plays by a range of playwrights that is highly suitable for use in comparative, corpus-based research into language style in Shakespeare’s plays. In discussing sources for digitised historical play-texts and criteria for making a selection for the present study, I argue that not just any set of Early Modern English plays constitutes a suitable basis upon which to make reliable claims about language style in Shakespeare’s plays relative to those of his peers. I point out factors outside of authorial choice which potentially have bearing on language style, such as sub-genre features and change over time. I also highlight some particular difficulties in compiling a corpus of historical texts, notably dating and spelling variation, and I explain how these were addressed. The corpus detailed in this article extends the prospects for investigating Shakespeare’s language style by providing a context into which it can be set and, as I indicate, is a valuable new publicly accessible resource for future research.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
ICAME Journal
ID Code:
166959
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
03 Mar 2022 09:30
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
12 Aug 2024 23:48