You, to Shakespeare - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "You, to Shakespeare," is a classic crossword puzzle entry that acts as a mini time machine. It asks us to translate a common modern word into its equivalent from a few centuries ago. This type of clue is a favorite among constructors because it tests a specific, widely-known piece of literary and linguistic history. For many solvers, it's a welcome and familiar foothold in the grid.

Clue Analysis

The clue is structured as a simple definition with a specific context.

"You": This is the modern word we need to translate.
"to Shakespeare": This phrase sets the time period and style. We're looking for a word that William Shakespeare would have used in his plays and sonnets, specifically in the era of Early Modern English.

The clue is asking for the archaic, second-person singular pronoun that corresponds to the modern "you."

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, a few thought processes can lead you to the answer:

Direct Recall: This is the most common path. Many of us learned about Shakespearean pronouns in English class. The phrase "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" is so famous that the word for "you" is often immediately accessible.
Word Association: The name "Shakespeare" triggers a network of related words. You might think of thee, thy, thine, and the answer will naturally fall into that group. This family of words is a staple of historical settings in literature and film.
Using Crossings: If the answer doesn't come to mind right away, getting even one or two letters from intersecting clues can be a huge help. For a four-letter word, seeing a T at the beginning or a U at the end would likely jog your memory.

Background Context

The answer to this clue is part of a system of pronouns in Early Modern English that has since been simplified. In Shakespeare's time, the choice of pronoun depended on number and familiarity:

Thou: Used for one person (singular) in an informal or familiar context (e.g., speaking to a friend, a child, or God). It's the subject of the sentence. (e.g., "Thou art my friend.")
Thee: The object form of "thou." (e.g., "I give this to thee.")
Ye/You: Originally used for more than one person (plural) or to show respect to a social superior (formal singular).

Over time, the formal "you" gradually replaced "thou" and "thee" in all contexts, which is why we only use "you" today. You can read more about its history on the Wikipedia page for Thou.

Conclusion

"You, to Shakespeare" is a perfect example of an "easy" clue that relies on a small but essential piece of cultural literacy. It's straightforward, fair, and provides a satisfying click when you fill it in. It's a reminder of how language evolves and how crosswords can connect us to the past in just a few letters.

Hints

Hint 1: This is an archaic word for a modern pronoun.
Hint 2: The clue directs you to the language used in the Elizabethan era.
Hint 3: It's the second-person singular subject pronoun, often found in the King James Bible as well.
Hint 4: Its objective case counterpart is 'thee'.

The answer is THOU.