What does e'en mean in Shakespeare?

E' en is an Old English contraction of “even” or “yea,” and it was used in early English to express agreement or affirmation. Shakespeare used e'en a lot in his plays, usually to mean “even” or “yes.” It is usually used in dialogue, so it is often one word in the written text, but sometimes it is two words, especially in an oath or curse. It is also used in poetry to

What does evening mean in Shakespeare?

As Shakespeare’s England turned towards the new year, ‘ evening was the time when the sun began to set. It was the time to find a safe place to sleep and rest (if you could afford it), and to prepare for the dark, cold winter ahead.

What does e'en mean in Romeo and Juliet quotes?

The word e'en is an Old English contraction of the phrase “evening” or “even”. It's used to refer to the end of the day, or the end of the evening following the evening. It's used in Shakespeare when someone is speaking of the time of day or evening in general. It’s also used when something is supposed to occur at the end of a time period or day.

What does e'en mean in Shakespeare quotes?

The word “e'en” is a contraction of the phrase “evening.” In Shakespeare's time, the word “evening” meant “last light of day” or “time of the day.” As the sun set, people spoke of “e'en” or “even.”

What does e'en mean in Romeo and Juliet?

According to Shakespeare, the e'en is the last evening of the evening before St. Valentine's Day. It was once a time for couples to exchange gifts and sing romantic songs. Shakespeare also associates the e'en with St. Valentine, a Roman Catholic martyr who was put to death for helping Christian couples have sexual relations. Thus, the word "even" at this time of year may have had a more religious meaning.