Iambic Pentameter

Iambic Pentameter is meter that Shakespeare neatly always used when writing in verse. Most of his plays were written in the form of Iambic Pentameter, except for lower-class characters who speak in prose (dialogue written in prose appears as a block of text, unlike the strict rhythmic patterns of Shakespeare's verse)

Iambic Pentameter has:

• Ten syllables in each line
• Five pairs of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables
• The rhythm in each line sound like:

         ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM / ba-BUM

Why is Iambic Pentameter important?

In terms of Shakespeare Iambic Pentameter is highly prominent due to him using to the form to great dexterity.

In my opinion i feel it is highly important in influencing the way the lines are spoken when performing!

It allows the actor to realise which words are specifically stressed and which are unstressed. Therefor the creates a natural emphasis on the words.

Applying this to my monologue:

Applying Iambic Pentameter on my monologue i feel really helped me explore which words needed to be stressed and also it allowed the meaning of the monologue to have clarity.

"He took me by the wrist and held me hard.

Then goes he to the length of all his arm,

And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow,

He falls to such perusal of my face

As he would draw it. Long stayed he so.

At last, a little shaking of mine arm

And thrice his head thus waving up and down

He raised a sigh so piteous and profound

As it did seem to shatter all his bulk

And end his being. That done, he lets me go,

And, with his head over his shoulder turned,

He seemed to find his way without his eyes,

For out o'doors he went without their helps,

And to the last bended their light on me."