The Discourse of Drama: A Linguistic Analysis of Shakespearean Masterworks

Abstract

This paper applies the principles of discourse studies to a selection of William Shakespeare’s major tragedies and comedies, including Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night. By examining the "language in use" within these texts, the study demonstrates how formal links (syntax and verse) and contextual links (intertextuality and implicature) function to build dramatic tension and character depth. Special attention is paid to the violation of Gricean maxims and Brown and Levinson’s Politeness Theory as tools for manipulation and social navigation. The analysis reveals that Shakespeare’s enduring power lies not just in his vocabulary, but in his mastery of the pragmatic and socio-cultural frameworks of discourse, allowing characters to negotiate power, identity, and truth through complex communicative acts.