Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

Poetry and Prose

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses a lot of blank verse (non-rhyming lines) and iambic pentameter (lines of 10 syllables), which uses rhyme.

Significance

This was often used in Elizabethan plays to express ideas of love.
- In much of Romeo and Juliet, both protagonists (main characters) speak in blank verse and iambic pentameter, especially when speaking to one another.

Blank verse

Blank verse is associated with the wealthy, higher-class characters or characters who do not necessarily believe in love – the Montague and Capulet servants speak in prose (which does not have a rhythm or any rhyming).

Prose

Shakespeare often used less poetic language for some of the more comedic characters – he writes some of Mercutio’s and the Nurse’s sexual comments in prose.

Tybalt's language

It is interesting to note that Tybalt rarely speaks in rhymes (something which is associated with love poetry).
- He usually only rhymes when he talks about killing other people or taking revenge ('Now, by the stock and honour of my kin / To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin' and 'A villain that is hither come in spite / To scorn at our solemnity this night'.)
This could suggest that the only love Tybalt feels is the love of fighting and murder.

Romeo and Sonnets

Romeo occasionally speaks in sonnets (which are also a form of love poetry).

Sonnets explained

Sonnets have 14 lines, are written in iambic pentameter and are structured in six sets of alternative rhyming couplets. There is one rhyming couplet at the end.
The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Romeo's use of sonnets

Romeo’s sonnets show his immaturity and his romantic side - he tries to woo (gain the love of) Juliet with sonnets, but she doesn’t like this overly-romanticised method and thinks he is being insincere.
As he becomes closer to Juliet and matures, he uses sonnets less and less.

1Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting

1.1.2Relationships

1.1.3Religion & Fate

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

3Key Characters

3.1Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect

3.1.2Character Development

3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes

3.2Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development

3.2.2Tragic Character

3.2.3Key Quotes

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet

3.3Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation

3.3.2Key Quotes

3.4The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse

3.4.2Benvolio

3.4.3Tybalt

3.5Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation

3.5.2Key Quotes

3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio

3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence

3.6Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis

4Key Themes & Concepts

4.1Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves

4.1.2Friendship & Family

4.1.3Violent Love

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love

4.2Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide

4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death

4.2.3Fate & Destiny

4.2.4Gender

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery

5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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