6. IAMBIC PENTAMETER (Chicago Shakes P.35-6)
Much of Shakespeare’s verse is written in iambic pentameter, or ten-syllable lines with alternating unstressed and stressed syllables. The ten unstressed/stressed beats mirror the cadence of the English language. Say these everyday sentences out loud and listen for the iambic pentameter rhythm:
I’m hungry and I want my dinner now. The weather’s gorgeous and I have to go outside. I really want to see my friends tonight. www.chicagoshakes.com
Now take a look at a passage from the play. In Act 2, scene 1, Titania says to Oberon:
TITANIA
These are the forgeries of jealousy
, And never since the middle summer’s spring
Met we on hill, in dale, forest or mead,
By paved fountain or by rushy brook,
Or in the beached margent of the sea
To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind.
Read these lines aloud, trying to overemphasize the meter. If you’re having trouble, look at the example below, in which the meter is stressed:
TITANIA
These ARE the FORgerIES of JEAlouSY,
And NEver SINCE the MIDdle SUMmer’s SPRING
Met WE on HILL, in DALE, forEST or MEAD,