Shakespeare's Language

Shakespeare's Language

By Sharon Harris

Poll

Why did Shakespeare use different forms of language in his plays?

• To avoid discrimination

• To distinguish between social classes

• To make his plays more entertaining

Shakespeare usually wrote in a form of poetry called blank verse, rhymed verse, and prose.

Blank means "unrhymed"

used by characters in authority like Prince Escalus in Romeo and Juliet​ or their parents.

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Blank Verse

​Prince Escalus

Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word

By thee, old Capulet, and Montague

Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets.​

Subject | Subject

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Used for Romantic or heroic speeches. Contains Iambic pentameter or a group of syllables that follow a particular pattern of stress.

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​Rhymed Verse

Iambic Pentameter

​an ‘iamb’ is a foot or beat consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable; ‘Penta’ means five--five sets of stressed syllables and unstressed syllables.

​ For example, deLIGHT, the SUN, forLORN, one DAY, reLEASE

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Rhyme verse (Iambic Pentameter)

Oh, SHE doth TEACH the TORches TO burn BRIGHT!

It SEEMS she HANGS upON the CHEEK of NIGHT

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​Iambic Pentameter

Ordinary written or spoken language​

Used for servant or comic scenes​

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Prose​

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Sampson: a servant of the Montagues

My naked weapon is out. Quarrel ! I will back thee. ​

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Let's answer some questions now​

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Multiple Choice

Which one is used for the servants' language?

• blank verse

• rhyme verse

• prose

Multiple Choice

Blank verse was used by those in authority.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Madam, an hour before the worshipped sun

Peered forth the golden window of the East

Lord Montague to his wife

The following lines are an example of

• Blank verse

• Rhyme Verse

• Prose

Multiple Choice

If I profane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand

To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

These lines are an example of?

• Blank verse

• Rhyme verse

• prose

Fill in the Blanks

Think about the following before responding. Do we use blank verse, rhyme verse, and prose today in our world or did it only exist in Shakespeare's time and plays? Explain and use examples.