Iambic Pentameter
So, what exactly is Iambic Pentameter? It simply defines the rhythm Shakespeare uses in his lines.
Let’s start by listening to your own heartbeat. How does it sound?
de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum
Now, let’s try this with a simple rhyme with 4 stressed beats that you might be familiar with:
i DO not LIKE green EGGS and HAM
de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum
i DO not LIKE them SAM i AM
de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum
i DO not LIKE them HERE or THERE
de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum
i DO not LIKE them ANy WHERE!
de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum
Sometimes people can get confused by descriptions like 'iambic pentameter' and 'blank verse', and this
can be part of making Shakespeare's work seem strange and hard to relate to. Before you feel any
confusion, follow the simple instructions below. They really are simple, and this is because the basics of
Shakespeare's verse are simple - they connect to the heartbeat and to the natural rhythms of English
speech. You will find there are 5 stressed beats in each line.
1. Here is a rhythm - call it a 'meter' - so, here is 1 meter:
de-dum
Here are 5 of them:
de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum de-dum
Read them aloud, emphasizing the bold parts:
de-DUM de-DUM de-DUM de-DUM de-DUM
2. Here are two words:
So long
Here are 10 words:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see
Read them aloud, emphasizing the bold parts:
So LONG as MEN can BREATHE or EYES can SEE
So LONG lives THIS, and THIS gives LIFE to THEE.
You have now spoken Shakespeare in strong 'iambic pentameter'. Congrats! Simple as that.