Iambic Pentameter

Iambic pentameter defined Iambic= one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed

syllable

Pentameter= 10 syllables per line Almost all of Romeo and Juliet is written in blank verse

(no rhyming words) using Iambic Pentameter It is very difficult to structure thoughts using this style of

poetry This may explain why some of Shakespeare’s phrasings

may seem odd to the reader

Stressed and Unstressed syllables

= unstressed / = stressed

Iambic words The following are examples of iambic words

What does Iambic mean again? Verbose Become Baboon Advance Buffoon Cocoon Bamboo Write these words down and chart them using and / Now, come up with a word from your current surroundings

that is iambic in form

Answers For each of the iambic words you should

have placed an “ ” on top of the unstressed syllable (the first syllable) and a “/” on top of the stressed syllable

EX:

/ Verbose

Iambic Pentameter phrases weakSTRONGweakSTRONGweakSTRON

GweakSTRONGweakSTRONG I am I am I am I am I am

/ / / / / I am a pirate with a wooden leg

Try charting these…

/ / / / / So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

= 10 syllables

/ / / / / But soft: what light through yonder window breaks?

= 10 syllables

What is the opposite of iambic? Trochaic Trochaic words start with a stressed

syllable and end with an unstressed syllable

You can have trochaic words in iambic pentameter

Examples of trochaic words Pirate Answer Tuesday Angel Married Golden Flashing Now… think of a trochaic word around you.

Prologue First of all, what is a prologue? A prologue is an introductory speech which

tells what will happen in the upcoming piece of literature and it also may highlight some themes from the piece as well.

“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”O for a Muse of fire that would ascend

The brightest heaven of invention;But pardon, gentles all,

The flat unraised spirits that hath daredOn this unworthy scaffold to bring forthSo great a story. Can this cockpit hold

The vastly fields of nursery tales? Or may we cramWithin this wooden O the very talesThat did fill childish ears at bedtime?Let us on your imaginary forces work

Pierce out our imperfections with your thought.For your humble patience do we pray

Gently to hear, kindly to judge our play.