As Dead as a Doornail

William Shakespeare died 400 years ago this year, but the great writer’s words are very much alive. Did you know that he created many English phrases and expressions that are still very popular in today’s English?

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• whilst - while; during the time that
• mend - to repair, to make something broken or damaged usable again
• nail - long, thin piece of metal that is sharp at one end and flat at the other end, used to attach things to wood
• rebel - a person who opposes or fights against a king, any ruler, a government
• rebel leader - the head of a group of rebels
• on the run - running away from someone in order to avoid being captured
• enemy - someone who attacks or tries to harm another
• threaten - to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted
• in common use - shared or done by many people
• electrical gadget - electrical small, usefull device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, etc.

First write down or talk about what you think “as dead as a doornail” means.
Now read the assignment. Next watch the video. Take notes to help you do the assignment.

1. What play is William Shakespeare writing?


2. What does William Shakespeare’s friend, Thomas Swann, do for a living?


3. Why is Jack Cade, the rebel leader, feeling weak?


4. How many enemies find the weak Jack Cade?


5. How did Shakespeare use the phrase “as dead as a doornail”?


6. How is the phrase “as dead as a doornail” used today?


7. Where are William and Thomas going at the end of this video?


8. How would you say “as dead as a doornail” in Dutch?

Click here to watch more videos with Shakespeare phrases.