Why Does Shakespeare Use Iambic Pentameter

Alright, let's delve into the rhythmic heart of Shakespeare's verse and uncover why he so frequently employed iambic pentameter. Prepare for a deep dive into the history, function, and enduring power of this poetic form.

Introduction: The Rhythmic Pulse of Shakespeare

When we read or hear Shakespeare, we're immediately struck by the unique and compelling rhythm of his language. It's not just the words themselves, but the way they are arranged, the way they flow, that creates a sense of heightened drama and profound beauty. This rhythmic pulse, this underlying heartbeat of so much of Shakespeare's work, is largely due to his masterful use of iambic pentameter. But what exactly is iambic pentameter, and why did Shakespeare choose to use it so extensively? The answers to these questions are intertwined with the history of English poetry, the conventions of the Elizabethan stage, and Shakespeare's own artistic genius.

Iambic pentameter wasn't just a stylistic choice; it was a fundamental building block of Shakespeare's dramatic and poetic world. It provided a framework for his language, allowing him to explore complex ideas and emotions with both precision and passion. It's a form that, at first glance, might seem restrictive, yet it ultimately proved to be remarkably flexible and adaptable in Shakespeare's hands. Understanding why Shakespeare used iambic pentameter is crucial to appreciating the full depth and artistry of his plays and poems.

What Exactly is Iambic Pentameter?

To understand why Shakespeare used iambic pentameter, we first need to understand what it is. Let's break down the term itself:

• Iamb: An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable. Think of the word "away" or "delight." The emphasis falls on the second syllable.

• Pentameter: Penta- means "five." So, pentameter means that there are five of these iambic feet in a single line of verse.

Therefore, a line of iambic pentameter is a line with ten syllables, alternating unstressed and stressed syllables. A perfect line of iambic pentameter would sound like this (stressed syllables in bold):

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

This creates a natural, almost conversational rhythm that is both pleasing to the ear and conducive to memorization. It mimics the natural rhythms of spoken English, but with a heightened sense of order and purpose.

A Brief History: Iambic Pentameter Before Shakespeare

Shakespeare didn't invent iambic pentameter. It had a long history in English poetry before he came along. In fact, it was the dominant meter for serious verse in English for centuries.

• Chaucer's Influence: Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English literature, is widely credited with popularizing iambic pentameter in English poetry. His Canterbury Tales, written in the late 14th century, is a prime example of its early use. Chaucer adapted the form from French and Italian poetry, and it quickly became a favorite among English poets.

• The Rise of Blank Verse: While Chaucer often used rhyming iambic pentameter (as in rhyme schemes like couplets or ABAB), the form that Shakespeare primarily used was blank verse. Blank verse is unrhymed iambic pentameter. This form gained prominence in the 16th century, particularly in dramatic works.

• Predecessors and Experimentation: Before Shakespeare, playwrights like Christopher Marlowe were experimenting with blank verse on the stage. Marlowe's mighty line, as it was sometimes called, was known for its grandeur and power. Shakespeare built upon the foundations laid by these earlier writers, refining and perfecting the use of iambic pentameter for dramatic purposes.

The fact that iambic pentameter was already a well-established form was significant. It provided Shakespeare with a ready-made framework, a familiar rhythm that his audience would immediately recognize.

Why Shakespeare Chose Iambic Pentameter: A Multifaceted Answer

So, given this history, why did Shakespeare embrace iambic pentameter so wholeheartedly? There isn't one single answer, but rather a confluence of factors:

• Elevated Language and Dramatic Effect: Iambic pentameter inherently lends itself to a more elevated and poetic style of language. It creates a sense of formality and importance, which was well-suited to the serious themes and dramatic conflicts that Shakespeare explored in his plays. The rhythmic structure adds weight and significance to the words, making them more memorable and impactful.

• Memorability and Performance: In the Elizabethan era, plays were performed in large, open-air theaters, often with noisy and boisterous audiences. Actors needed to be able to project their voices and command attention. The regular rhythm of iambic pentameter aided in memorization and delivery, helping actors to maintain a consistent pace and rhythm, even under challenging conditions. The rhythm also helped the audience follow the lines, even if they missed a word or two.

• A Natural Rhythm Mimicking Speech: While iambic pentameter creates a sense of formality, it also possesses a natural rhythm that closely resembles spoken English. Shakespeare was a master of capturing the nuances of human speech in his verse. He could make his characters sound both eloquent and believable, using iambic pentameter as a foundation for their individual voices.

• Flexibility and Variation: This might seem counterintuitive, but one of the great strengths of iambic pentameter is its flexibility. While the basic structure is regular, Shakespeare was a master of varying the rhythm to create different effects. He would frequently use substitutions (replacing an iamb with a different metrical foot), extra syllables, or pauses to create emphasis, add emotional intensity, or reflect a character's state of mind. This ability to manipulate the rhythm is what made Shakespeare's verse so dynamic and engaging.

• Conventions of the Time: As mentioned earlier, iambic pentameter was the standard meter for serious poetry and drama in Shakespeare's time. It was what audiences expected, and it provided a common language for playwrights and poets. By using iambic pentameter, Shakespeare was participating in a shared cultural tradition.

• Distinguishing Characters and Social Classes: Shakespeare expertly used iambic pentameter to differentiate his characters. Royalty, nobles, and characters of higher social standing often spoke in flawless iambic pentameter, reflecting their education and refined manner. Commoners, on the other hand, might speak in prose or in verse that deviated from the strict iambic pattern, highlighting their lower social status and less formal education.

Shakespeare's Mastery: Variations and Innovations

It's important to emphasize that Shakespeare didn't just mechanically churn out lines of perfect iambic pentameter. He was a master of manipulating the form to create a wide range of effects. Here are some of the ways he varied and innovated within the framework of iambic pentameter:

• Substitutions: Shakespeare frequently substituted other metrical feet for the iamb. A trochee (stressed-unstressed) could be used at the beginning of a line to create emphasis or a sense of urgency. A spondee (stressed-stressed) could be used to add weight and power to a particular phrase. A pyrrhic (unstressed-unstressed) could speed up the pace of a line.

• Elisions: Shakespeare often elided syllables (slurred them together) to maintain the iambic rhythm. For example, "heaven" might be pronounced as "heav'n" to fit the meter.

• Feminine Endings: A feminine ending is a line of iambic pentameter that has an extra unstressed syllable at the end. This can create a softer, more lyrical effect.

• Caesuras: A caesura is a pause within a line of verse. Shakespeare used caesuras to create emphasis, add variety to the rhythm, and reflect a character's thoughts or emotions. The pause could occur at different points within the line, creating different effects.

• Run-on Lines (Enjambment): Shakespeare frequently used run-on lines, where the thought continues from one line to the next without a pause. This creates a sense of momentum and fluidity, drawing the reader or listener forward.

Examples from the Plays:

Let's look at a few examples from Shakespeare's plays to illustrate how he used iambic pentameter:

• Hamlet:

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

This is a very famous line from Hamlet. Notice the regular iambic rhythm, with the alternating unstressed and stressed syllables. The line is powerful and memorable, in part because of its rhythmic structure.

• Romeo and Juliet:

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Here, we see a more lyrical use of iambic pentameter. The rhythm is smooth and flowing, reflecting Romeo's infatuation with Juliet.

• Macbeth:

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time.

In this passage from Macbeth, the rhythm is more irregular, reflecting Macbeth's despair and disillusionment. The repetition of "tomorrow" creates a sense of monotony and hopelessness.

Iambic Pentameter Beyond Shakespeare

While Shakespeare is undoubtedly the most famous and influential user of iambic pentameter, the form has continued to be used by poets and playwrights throughout history.

• Milton's Paradise Lost: John Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost, is written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) and is considered one of the greatest works of English literature. Milton used the form to create a sense of grandeur and authority, befitting the epic scope of his subject matter.

• Wordsworth and the Romantics: William Wordsworth and other Romantic poets also used iambic pentameter, often in a more conversational and natural style. They were interested in capturing the rhythms of everyday speech in their poetry.

• Modern Poetry and Drama: While iambic pentameter is less common in modern poetry and drama, it still appears from time to time. Some poets and playwrights use it to create a sense of tradition or formality, while others experiment with it in new and innovative ways.

FAQ About Shakespeare and Iambic Pentameter

• Q: Did Shakespeare always write in iambic pentameter?

  • A: No, Shakespeare also used prose, especially for lower-class characters or comedic scenes. He also used other verse forms, such as rhyming couplets, for particular effects.

• Q: Is it possible to write only in perfect iambic pentameter?

  • A: It is possible, but it would likely sound monotonous and unnatural. The beauty of Shakespeare's verse lies in its variations and deviations from the strict iambic pattern.

• Q: Why is iambic pentameter still studied today?

  • A: Studying iambic pentameter helps us to understand the history of English poetry and drama, and it allows us to appreciate the artistry and skill of writers like Shakespeare. It also helps us to develop our own sense of rhythm and language.

• Q: Is iambic pentameter used in languages other than English?

  • A: While the iamb is a common foot in many languages, "iambic pentameter" as a specific verse form is most strongly associated with English poetry, due to the historical development and conventions of the language. Similar metrical structures exist in other languages, but they may not be identical.

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Rhythm

Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter was not simply a matter of convention or convenience. It was a deliberate artistic choice that shaped the very fabric of his plays and poems. The rhythm of iambic pentameter gave his language a sense of power, beauty, and memorability. It allowed him to explore complex ideas and emotions with both precision and passion. And it helped to create a shared cultural experience for his audience.

By mastering iambic pentameter, Shakespeare transformed it from a mere metrical form into a powerful tool for dramatic expression. He bent and shaped it to his will, creating a verse that is both formal and flexible, both elegant and earthy. It's a testament to his genius that his plays, written centuries ago, continue to resonate with audiences today, thanks in no small part to the enduring power of rhythm. How does understanding the technical aspects of poetry, like iambic pentameter, enhance your appreciation of Shakespeare's work? Does it make the plays feel more or less accessible?