iambic pentameter

Iambic Pentameter

Much of Shakespeare's writing was in iambic pentameter (but not all of it).

Let's make sure we know what syllables are first:

• A syllable is a beat in a word

• It contains one vowel sound and the consonants that go with it

• Syllables relate to the sound of the word, not the spelling

Multiple Choice

How many syllables is this word?

Banana

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

How many syllables is this word?

intergalactic

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Every word has stressed and unstressed syllables

To figure out which syllables are stressed, listen to how you say the word in normal, American English, out loud. It is helpful to sometimes say the word wrong in order to make sure you find the stressed syllable. (All caps shows the stress)

Try this: be-HIND

And then say it this way: BE-hind

Does the meaning change based on the stressed syllable? Yes!

Multiple Select

Check the words that have the syllable pattern: unstressed-STRESSED

• apple

• applause

• angry

• attend

• asleep

Here those words are for you:

• AP-ple

• ap-PLAUSE

• AN-gry

• at-TEND

• a-SLEEP

• If you try to say them the opposite way, you sound like an A-li-en

"iamb" is when there are 2 syllables together in the pattern of:

unstressed-STRESSED

Like da-DUM, da-DUM

• i THINK i MIGHT be FEEL-ing RA-ther SAD

• Read the line above out loud.

• Can you hear the unstressed-STRESSED rhythm?

• du-DUM du-DUM du-DUM du-DUM du-DUM

Multiple Choice

Is this an example of iambic pentameter? (5 sets of 2 iambic syllables: da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)

"Hey, can I go to the party now, Mom?"

• Yes

• No

It was NOT iambic pentameter. Here's how I could change it to make it iambic pentameter (10 syllables; 5 sets of 2 iambs). Say them outloud to hear the da-DUM (like a horse galloping).

• Can I go to the party now, dear Mom?

• The party now can I attend at once?

• Sweet Mom, go I unto the party now?

re-TURN to GOO-gle CLASS-room PLEASE at ONCE

When you get there, go back to today's assignment and watch the video I have posted about iambic pentameter.

Then turn to page 14 in your Shakespeare Language packet and try to change 2 of the lines to iambic pentameter.

First, video. Then 2 lines.