Why Shakespeare loved iambic pentameter - David T. Freeman and Gregory Taylor

Summary

This script unravels the beauty of Shakespeare's language, emphasizing its poetic nature. It explains the importance of stress in words and the concept of poetic meter, particularly iambic pentameter, which Shakespeare favored for its rhythmic flow and natural fit to the English language. The script suggests that the heartbeat-like rhythm of iambic pentameter may have been chosen to resonate with the human pulse during moments of high emotion in his plays.

Takeaways

• 📜 Shakespeare's language may initially seem strange, but appreciating it involves understanding his poetic use of language.
• 🎭 Shakespeare was a poet first, and his plays are infused with poetic elements like meter and rhythm.
• 🗣️ Stress in language, emphasizing certain syllables, is crucial to understanding and appreciating Shakespeare's work.
• 👣 Poets use patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables to create rhythm, similar to how songwriters use repetition in music.
• 👣 A 'foot' in verse is a unit of stressed and unstressed syllables, akin to a musical measure with beats.
• 👣 Dactyls and trochees are types of metrical feet with specific syllable stress patterns used in poetry.
• 👣 Iambic pentameter, a line with five iambs, is Shakespeare's favorite meter, used for many of his most famous lines.
• 👣 Iambic pentameter's structure can be remembered by the phrase 'I am', with the first syllable unstressed and the second stressed.
• 👣 Shakespeare's characters often switch to iambic pentameter when expressing deep emotions or contemplating their existence.
• 👣 Iambic pentameter may have been chosen for its natural fit with the English language and its resemblance to the heartbeat, which is also in iambs.
• 💬 Shakespeare's use of poetry and iambic pentameter is not just for aesthetic purposes but also to convey heightened emotional states.

Q & A

Why might the language of Shakespeare's works seem strange to someone encountering them for the first time?

The language may seem strange due to its archaic nature and the use of poetic devices such as iambic pentameter, which are not commonly used in modern English.

What is the secret to appreciating Shakespeare's language?

The secret is to recognize that Shakespeare was a poet first and foremost, and to pay attention to the use of stress and poetic meter in his works.

What is meant by 'stress' in the context of Shakespeare's language?

In this context, 'stress' refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables in words, which is a key element in the rhythm and flow of his poetry.

How do poets use stress in their work?

Poets use stress to create rhythm and poetic meter by arranging stressed and unstressed syllables in a patterned way.

What is a 'foot' in a line of verse?

A 'foot' is a group of stressed and unstressed syllables that form a distinct unit within a line of verse, similar to a musical measure.

What is a dactyl and how does it contribute to the rhythm of a poem?

A dactyl is a metrical foot consisting of three syllables with the first being stressed and the second and third unstressed, creating a swift and forceful rhythm.

What is the difference between a trochee and an iamb?

A trochee is a two-syllable foot with the first syllable stressed and the second unstressed, while an iamb is the reverse, with the first syllable unstressed and the second stressed.

Why is iambic pentameter significant in Shakespeare's work?

Iambic pentameter is significant because it is Shakespeare's favorite meter, consisting of five iambs per line, and is used for many of his most famous lines.

How does Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter relate to the natural rhythm of the English language?

Iambic pentameter is naturally suited to the English language, making it easier for actors to memorize and for audiences to understand.

Why might Shakespeare's characters switch to iambic pentameter during moments of high emotion?

Iambic pentameter is used to convey heightened emotions and introspection, as it follows the natural rhythm of the heart, which beats in iambs.

What is the practical way to remember what 'iambic pentameter' means?

The word 'iamb' is pronounced like 'I am', and iambic pentameter consists of ten syllables, similar to taking ten steps.