Written script for NPC's and sudden use of contractions

[Iscah]

One of the articles you linked just proves my point that he's using it wrong and that thou and you were used at the same time for different things.

Yes, of course they were used at the same time for different things. But sometimes that thing was single/plural and sometimes it was informal/formal.

It makes far more sense following the simpler single/plural rule, and in any case he's not often seen in formal situations or addressing groups so there's not much of a track record there.

Plus having followed up the reference for that that confusing and contradictory list of when you do and don't use thou/you for formality, it points to this "Middle English Compendium" which first lists "you" as being a plural noun before going into a list of where it may be used in single form.

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-...onary/MED54032


The usage section of the Wikipedia article also has examples of Shakespeare using it inconsistently for formality, and mentions that the first English Bible translation in the 16th century uses thou for single and you for plural regardless of status.

So it's not that clear-cut and it does continue to be used for single/plural distinction, as it originated.