The spelling of "wast compelled" may seem unusual, but it actually follows the phonetic rules of Early Modern English. "Wast" is the second person singular past tense of "be" and is pronounced /wɑːst/. "Compelled" is the past participle of "compel" and is pronounced /kəmˈpɛld/. The use of "wast" instead of "were" and the placement of the verb before the subject were common in Early Modern English. This form of English was used from the late 15th century to the mid-17th century, and is particularly associated with the works of William Shakespeare.
"Wast compelled" is a term derived from archaic English usage, specifically from the early modern period, during which it was employed in the works of William Shakespeare. The phrase consists of the verb "wast" as a variant of "were" (second person singular past tense of "be") and "compelled," which means forced or constrained to do something against one's will. Thus, "wast compelled" can be understood to mean that someone was made to engage in an action or behavior against their desire or choice.
The term reflects the state of being compelled or coerced without the ability to exercise personal agency or freedom. It implies that an individual is acting or complying due to external pressures or circumstances beyond their control, often implying a lack of autonomy or voluntary involvement. In other words, it suggests being driven, urged, or forced into a particular course of action.
In the context of Shakespearean plays, "wast compelled" might be used to describe a character who is under duress or struggling with an obligation or duty they did not willingly undertake. This phrase highlights the external forces that are exerted on the character, shaping their actions or decisions against their own inclination.
Overall, "wast compelled" signifies being compelled or forced to act against one's will, emphasizing a lack of personal agency or choice in the matter.
The phrase "wast compelled" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two English words that have their own origins. Here is the etymology of each word:
1. "Wast": This is the old second-person singular form of the verb "be" in Early Modern English. It is derived from the Old English word "wæs" meaning "was". The Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "was", which has Indo-European origins.
2. "Compelled": This word is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "compel". It derives from the Latin word "compellere", which is a combination of "com" (meaning "together") and "pellere" (meaning "to drive or push").