Influence of The Bible, Shakespeare, Milton and Dr. Johnson on the English Language

The English language has been shaped by several major literary and cultural sources. Among them, the English Bible, Shakespeare, John Milton and Dr. Samuel Johnson have had the deepest and most lasting impact. Their contributions enriched English vocabulary, idioms, rhythm, syntax, imagery, and literary style.

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1. Influence of The Bible on English

The translation of the Bible—especially the King James Version (1611)—had a powerful influence on English. The translation’s dignified rhythm, simple vocabulary and poetic phrases shaped everyday speech, literature and public discourse.

Key Features of Biblical Influence

• Simple, powerful vocabulary (light, bread, sin, soul)
• Parallelism – repeating patterns for emphasis
• Proverb-like expressions
• Moral and philosophical vocabulary

Common Biblical Phrases in English

• “Let there be light”
• “A thorn in the flesh”
• “The powers that be”
• “A labour of love”
• “By the sweat of your brow”

The Bible shaped the tone of sermons, speeches, legal writing and public communication for centuries.

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2. Influence of Shakespeare on English

William Shakespeare contributed more than 1,700 new words to English. He shaped expressions, idioms and poetic structures. Shakespeare’s influence is both linguistic and cultural.

Words Introduced or Popularised by Shakespeare

• lonely
• majestic
• critical
• assassination
• courtship

Shakespearean Idioms Still Used Today

• “Break the ice”
• “A heart of gold”
• “All that glitters is not gold”
• “Wild-goose chase”
• “The world is my oyster”

Stylistic Contribution

• Blank verse perfected for drama
• Rich imagery and metaphorical language
• Flexible word-formation
• Expressive emotional vocabulary

Shakespeare shaped both literary English and everyday conversational English.

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3. Influence of John Milton on English

John Milton’s Paradise Lost and other works enriched English with Latinate vocabulary, grand style, sonorous rhythm and classical allusion. His influence is seen in syntax, diction and poetic style.

Miltonic Vocabulary

• pandemonium
• self-esteem
• liturgical
• sensuous

Miltonic Style Features

• Grand style – elevated, majestic language
• Inversion – unusual word order for effect
• Latinised syntax
• Long, musical periods
• Epic similes

Milton gave English a new epic dignity and classical richness.

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4. Influence of Dr. Samuel Johnson

Dr. Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language (1755) was the first major attempt to standardise English spelling, usage and meaning. It influenced English more through lexicon and grammar than through literature.

Contributions of Dr. Johnson

• Standardised spelling of many English words
• Gave authoritative definitions
• Recorded usage from literature
• Promoted the London standard as correct English
• Eliminated many irregular spellings

Examples of Johnson’s Standardisation

• publick → public
• musick → music
• phantasie → fantasy

Johnson’s dictionary shaped education, printing, government writing and literary criticism in 18th-century England.

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Quick Comparative Summary

Source	Main Impact	Examples
The Bible	Simplicity; rhythm; moral vocabulary; idioms	“labour of love”, “powers that be”
Shakespeare	New words; idioms; emotional expression; imagery	“heart of gold”, “break the ice”
Milton	Grand style; Latinised diction; epic structure	pandemonium, epic similes
Dr. Johnson	Standardisation of spelling & usage	public, music, fantasy

Together, these four great sources shaped the vocabulary, idiom, rhythm, grammar and style of English. Their influence can still be seen in modern writing, speech and literature.

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