Name: Tiongson, Xavier Paul T. century.

The reason for this was

Grade & Section: 9-Aguho due to Latin being seen as "the
language of true literature" while
Shakespeare was famous for writing English was for common folk.
in iambic pentameter, which is a Because Latin was seen as a
specific way of rhyming sonnet lines superior language for poetry and
in ten syllables. There are also forms literature, poets developed iambic
of unrhymed iambic pentameter, as pentameter to use English words
in Macbeth, with the noble that could be stressed and
characters. This metrical pattern of
unstressed.
writing is also known as blank verse,
and Shakespeare was famous for
The effect of the pattern from
composing his plays as such.
However, he also included additional Blank Verse allows poetry to be
forms of writing such as poetry and full of movement, imagery, and a
simple prose. music-like quality. In
contemporary poetry, it is
Understanding Iambic considered somewhat of a lost art,
Pentameter however, some use the pattern or a
- The term "iambic pentameter” can similar rhyming scheme as a
sound intimidating at first, technique to bring their work to
however, it's simply a way of life.
speaking that Shakespeare’s
contemporary audience would have Iambic Pentameter Examples From
been used to. While it is Famous Shakespearean Plays
important to have an understanding
of what iambic pentameter is to Examples of iambic pentameter are
appreciate the plays, there are only found in many of Shakespeare's
five key things to know: plays, such as Romeo and
Juliet, Julius Caesar, A
1. Iambic pentameter is a verse Midsummer Night's Dream,
rhythm often used in and more. See instances of the
Shakespeare’s writing. pattern in the verses that follow.
2. It has 10 syllables per line.
3. Syllables alternate between From Romeo and Juliet:
stressed and unstressed beats,
Two households, both alike in dignity,
creating this pattern: “de/DUM
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
de/DUM de/DUM de/DUM From ancient grudge break to new
de/DUM.”
4. Shakespeare played around with mutiny,
this structure to create different Where civil blood makes civil hands
effects (for example, he changed unclean.
the stress pattern and added From forth the fatal loins of these two
syllables). foes
5. Generally speaking, high-class A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their
characters speak in iambic life;
pentameter and lower class (Prologue)
characters speak in prose. But, soft! what light through yonder
window breaks?
The Origins of Iambic It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Pentameter and the Reasons Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious
for Its Use moon,
- The goal of iambic pentameter Who is already sick and pale with grief,
was to create a meter for the That thou her maid art far more fair than
English language in the sixteenth
she: place:
Be not her maid, since she is envious; So, thanks to all at once and to each one,
Her vestal livery is but sick and green Whom we invite to see us crown'd at
And none but fools do wear it; cast it Scone.
off. (Act 5, Scene 8)
(Act 2, Scene 2)
From Hamlet:
From Julius Caesar:
O that this too too solid flesh would
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me melt,
your ears! Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!
(Act 3, Scene 2) Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d
His canon ’gainst self-slaughter! O God!
From A Midsummer Night's Dream: O God!
(Act 1, Scene 2)
And I do love thee: therefore, go with
me; From Twelfth Night:
I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee,
And they shall fetch thee jewels from If music be the food of love, play on;
the deep, Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
And sing while thou on pressed flowers The appetite may sicken, and so die.
dost sleep; That strain again! it had a dying fall:
(Act 3, Scene 1) O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet
sound,
From Richard III: That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour! Enough; no
Now is the winter of our discontent more:
Made glorious summer by this sun of 'Tis not so sweet now as it was before.
York; O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our thou,
house That, notwithstanding thy capacity
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there,
(Act 1, Scene 1) Of what validity and pitch soe'er,
But falls into abatement and low price,
From Macbeth:
Even in a minute: so full of shapes is
fancy
Henceforth be earls, the first that ever
That it alone is high fantastical.
Scotland
(Act 1, Scene 1)
In such an honour named. What's more
to do,
Which would be planted newly with the
time,
As calling home our exiled friends
abroad
That fled the snares of watchful tyranny;
Producing forth the cruel ministers
Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like
queen,
Who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent
hands
Took off her life; this, and what needful
else
That calls upon us, by the grace of
Grace,
We will perform in measure, time and