The Language of William Shakespeare

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The Language of William Shakespeare

• Shakespeares Plays

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What do these actors and actresses have in common?
Theyve all starred in movies based on a
Shakespeare play.
Kenneth Branagh
Julia Stiles
Heath Ledger
Laurence Fishburne
Michelle Pfeiffer
Claire Danes
Josh Hartnett
Denzel Washington
Toshiro Mifune
Calista Flockhart
Mel Gibson
Alicia Silverstone
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What Makes Shakespeares Plays Great?

• Shakespeares plays have been popular worldwide
  for four hundred years because they
• appeal to powerful and universal human emotions
• contain striking images, memorable expressions,
  and compelling passages

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The Language of Shakespeares Plays

• Shakespeare uses both poetry and prose in his
  plays.
• Elizabethan playwrights generally considered
  poetry to be elevated language.
• Poetry is usually spoken by the main or
  high-ranking characters.
• Elizabethan playwrights generally considered
  prose to be common language.
• Prose is usually spoken by the supporting or
  low-ranking characters.

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Shakespeares Use of Poetry

• The poetry in Shakespeares plays consists of
  both blank verse and rhymed verse.
• Shakespeare uses blank verseunrhymed iambic
  pentameterin nearly 70 percent of his dramatic
  dialogue.
• Shakespeare uses rhymed verse in about 10 percent
  of his dramatic dialogue.
• His rhymed verse often consists of coupletstwo
  consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme.

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Shakespeares Use of Blank Verse

• Blank verse sounds similar to human speech but is
  still considered elevated language.
• The rhythm of blank verse emphasizes imagery and
  heightens the emotional impact of language.

Mercutio. True, I talk of dreams Which are the
children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but
vain fantasy Which is as thin of substance as
the air, . . . from The Tragedy of Romeo and
Juliet by William Shakespeare
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Shakespeares Use of Rhymed Verse

• Rhymed verse is often used to express matters of
  love and courtship.

Romeo. 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. from The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
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Shakespeares Use of Rhymed Verse

• Couplets may
• punctuate a characters exit
• signal the end of a scene

Prince. For never was a story of more
woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. Exuent
omnes. from The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by
William Shakespeare
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Shakespeares Use of Prose

• Shakespeare uses prose in more than 20 percent of
  his dramatic dialogue. Prose is often used to
  express
• lighthearted or casual sentiments
• friendly exchanges
• humor

Second Watchman. If we know him to be a thief,
shall we not lay hands on him? Dogberry. Truly,
by your office you may . . . . The most peaceable
way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let
him show himself what he is and steal out of your
company. from Much Ado About Nothing by
William Shakespeare
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What Have You Learned?
1. Shakespeares plays are performed regularly
all around the world. a. true b.
false 2. The majority of poetry in Shakespeares
plays is written in a. rhymed verse c.
blank verse b. rhymed couplets d. none of
the above 3. Prose is usually employed by a.
main characters c. high-ranking
characters b. low-ranking characters d.
love-struck characters
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The End