Savelieva N. Means of Expressing Deontic Modality in Early Modern English (A Study of W. Shakespeare's Works)

This dissertation presents an integrated approach to the study of linguistic means designating deontic modality in Early Modern English, namely in Shakespearean drama. Deontic modality is viewed as a qualificational characteristics of an utterance in terms of deontic notions “permitted”, “forbidden”, “obligatory”, “acceptable”. The interpretation of an utterance as permitted, forbidden, obligatory, or acceptable is determined by the presence of the deontic force. This thesis singles out a body of linguistic means manifesting deontic modality on the basis of two deontic force components – volition and norm. The means expressing deontic modality have been grouped and analysed with regard to dominating deontic force component. The use of lexemes duty, obligation, charge and office for verbal representation of the notion of “duty” has been examined.