William Shakespeare (1564-1616) wrote over 30 plays that are usually divided into histories, comedies, tragedies, and romances. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, but in 1596 he wrote Romeo and Juliet, his second tragedy. Over the next dozen years he wrote many of his most famous tragedies including Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare used different forms of language - prose, rhymed verse, and blank verse - to achieve specific effects and match the tone and content of different scenes.

1. William Shakespeare
(1564-1616)
• Shakespeare wrote more than 30
plays. These are usually divided
into four categories: histories,
comedies, tragedies, and
romances.
• His earliest plays were primarily
comedies and histories, but in
QuickTime™ and a 1596, Shakespeare wrote Romeo
decompressor
are needed to see this picture. and Juliet, his second tragedy.
• Over the next dozen years he
would return to the form, writing
the plays for which he is now best
known: Julius Caesar, Hamlet,
Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and
Antony and Cleopatra. In his final
years, Shakespeare turned to the
romantic with Cymbeline, A
Winter's Tale, and The Tempest.

2. The Globe Theatre
• As seen in the picture to the left of the
QuickTime™ and a Globe Theatre, the rectangular stage
decompressor thrust out into a circular area called
the pit. Audiences purchasing tickets
are needed to see this picture. could choose to either sit here in the
pit or to sit in the balconies.
• Elizabethan general public or people
who were not nobility were referred to
as groundlings. They would pay one
penny to stand in the Pit.
• The upper class spectators would pay
QuickTime™ and a to sit in the galleries often using
decompressor cushions for comfort. Rich nobles
are needed to see this picture. could watch the play from a chair set
on the side of the Globe stage itself.

3. Shakespearean Verse and Prose:
The language used by Shakespeare in his plays is in one of three
forms: prose, rhymed verse or blank verse, each of which he uses to
achieve specific effects.
• Prose refers to ordinary speech with • Prose is used whenever verse would
no regular pattern of accentual seem bizarre: in serious letters, in
rhythm. proclamations, and in the speeches of
characters actually or pretending to be
mad. Prose is used for everyday life,
low humor, and simple exposition
• Rhymed verse in Shakespeare's • Rhymed verse is frequently used in
plays is usually in rhymed couplets, songs and in supernatural scenes
i.e. two successive lines of verse of
which the final words rhyme with
another.
• Blank verse is used in a wide range
• Blank Verse refers to unrhymed of situations as it comes close to the
iambic pentameter. Blank verse natural speaking rhythms of English
resembles prose in that the final but raises it above the ordinary without
words of the lines do not rhyme in sounding artificial. Blank verse, as
any regular pattern (although an opposed to prose, is used mainly for
occasional rhyming couplet may be passionate, lofty or momentous
occasions and for introspection. Many
found). of Shakespeare's most famous
speeches are written in blank verse.

4. Rhymed verse is usually in rhymed
couplets, i.e. two successive lines of
verse of which the final words rhyme with
another
• Ariel sings Ferdinand on shore:
• Come unto these yellow sands,
And then take hands:
Courtsied when you have and kiss'd
The wild waves whist,
Foot it featly here and there;
And, sweet sprites, the burthen bear.
Hark, hark!

5. Prose refers to ordinary speech with no
regular pattern of accentual rhythm
From the opening scene in the Tempest:
GONZALO
• Good, yet remember whom thou hast aboard.
Boatswain
• None that I more love than myself. You are a
counsellor; if you can command these elements to
silence, and work the peace of the present, we will
not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you
cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make
yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of
the hour, if it so hap. Cheerly, good hearts! Out
of our way, I say.

6. Blank Verse refers to unrhymed iambic pentameter.
Blank verse resembles prose in that the final words of the
lines do not rhyme in any regular pattern (although an
occasional rhyming couplet may be found).
• Caliban critiques Prospero
• Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you!
For I am all the subjects that you have,
Which first was mine own king: and here you sty
me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest o' the island.

7. Blank Verse refers to unrhymed iambic pentameter.
Blank verse resembles prose in that the final words of the
lines do not rhyme in any regular pattern (although an
occasional rhyming couplet may be found).
• Caliban critiques Prospero
• Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you!
For I am all the subjects that you have,
Which first was mine own king: and here you sty
me
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest o' the island.