5.1.1

Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

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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

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

  • 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

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

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 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 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.
Jump to other topics
1

Context

1.1

Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting1.1.2Relationships1.1.3Religion & Fate1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context1.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era1.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Prologue

2.1.1Prologue
2.2

Act 1

2.2.1Scene 12.2.2Scene 1 Quotes2.2.3Scene 22.2.4Scene 32.2.5Scene 42.2.6Scene 52.2.7End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1
2.3

Act 2

2.3.1Scenes 1-22.3.2Scene 32.3.3Scene 42.3.4Scenes 5-62.3.5End of Topic Test - Act 2
2.4

Act 3

2.4.1Scene 12.4.2Scene 22.4.3Scenes 3-42.4.4Scene 52.4.5End of Topic Test - Act 3
2.5

Act 4

2.5.1Scene 12.5.2Scenes 2-32.5.3Scenes 4-5
2.6

Act 5

2.6.1Scene 12.6.2Scene 22.6.3Scene 32.6.4Scene 3 - Quotes2.6.5End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 52.6.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs2.6.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed2.6.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths
3

Key Characters

3.1

Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect3.1.2Character Development3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes3.1.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age3.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety
3.2

Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development3.2.2Tragic Character3.2.3Key Quotes3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet3.2.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?3.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets
3.3

Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation3.3.2Key Quotes
3.4

The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse3.4.2Benvolio3.4.3Tybalt
3.5

Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation3.5.2Key Quotes3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence3.5.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?
3.6

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis
4

Key Themes & Concepts

4.1

Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves4.1.2Friendship & Family4.1.3Violent Love4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love
4.2

Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death4.2.3Fate & Destiny4.2.4Gender4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques5.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Main Quotes by Act

6.1.1Act 16.1.2Act 26.1.3Act 36.1.4Act 46.1.5Act 5
6.2

Main Quotes by Character

6.2.1Romeo6.2.2Juliet6.2.3Mercutio6.2.4Friar Laurence6.2.5Nurse6.2.6Benvolio6.2.7Tybalt

Practice questions on Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

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  1. 1
    Blank verse is often associated with:True / false
  2. 2
    Tybalt only uses rhymes when he is discussing killing or taking revenge. Complete these quotes:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Which characters often speak in blank verse and iambic pentameter when they are communicating with one another?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Which characters speak in prose?Fill in the list
  5. 5
    Tybalt rarely speaks in rhymes. When does he?Multiple choice
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Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play

Symbolism & Imagery