A linguistic Study of Euphemistic Expressions in Shakespearian Tragedies

Abstract

Nowadays, people use euphemism just to avoid naming abstract things and objects directly, since they do not like just to empress other people. By attempting to avoid hurting the emotion of others, there is an attempt to reduce the depressing effects of the words by using another substitution this indicates that at whatever time people approach a responsive topic; they try to use such expression to reduce the harsh influence on listeners. However, the major aim of this research is to analyze the uses of euphemisms in Shakespearian tragedies such as Othello, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and Antony and Cleopatra. The research consists of two parts. The theoretical part which provides an introduction about the meaning of euphemism, types, origin, etymology and its functions, while various examples from Shakespeare's tragedies will be discussed in the practical part. It ends with a conclusion which sums up the main findings of the research.