IAMBIC PENTAMETER
IAMB
PENTA
da DUM x
METER
5 = Shakespeare's Rhythm
2 syllables
da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM
two HOUSE holds BOTH a LIKE in DIG ni TY
in FAIR ver O na WHERE we LAY our SCENE
1
let's STOP to SMELL the ROS es
OH what FUN
_____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ i LOVE to PLAY and FROL ic
_____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ IN
the SUN
too MAN
y SYLL a BLES can BE
a TRICK
_____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ so KNOW the RULES and THEN you'll BE so SLICK
_____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ / _____ ______ 2
Let's practice tanslating a few lines from Romeo and Juliet
1.
LADY MONTAGUE O, where is Romeo? saw you him to­day?
Right glad I am he was not at this fray.
2.
Where is Romeo? Did you see him today? I so glad he was not involved in the fight.
BENVOLIO My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
Uncle, do you know what is wrong?
MONTAGUE I neither know it nor can learn of him [Romeo]
I don't know and he won't tell me.
BENVOLIO Have you importuned him by any means?
Did you ask him?
3
3.
BENVOLIO Good­morrow, cousin.
Good morning, cousin.
ROMEO Is the day so young?
Is it morning already?
BENVOLIO But new struck nine.
It is 9:00.
ROMEO Ay me! sad hours seem long.
Was that my father that went hence so fast?
4.
Oh boy! When you are sad, time moves slowly.
Was that my father that left so quickly?
BENVOLIO Be ruled by me, forget to think of her.
ROMEO O, teach me how I should forget to think.
Listen to me, forget her.
Tell me how to forget her.
BENVOLIO By giving liberty unto thine eyes;
Examine other beauties.
Find another girl.
4
6.
Nurse I am a­weary, give me leave awhile:
Fie, how my bones ache! what a jaunt have I had!
7.
My bones ache; what a trip I just took.
JULIET O think'st thou we shall ever meet again?
8
I am tired; leave me alone.
Oh, will we ever see each other again.
JULIET O God, I have an ill­divining soul!
Methinks I see thee, now thou art below,
You look like you are dead laying in a tomb.
As one dead in the bottom of a tomb:
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.
Either there is something wrong with my eyes or you don't look so good. 5
9.
10.
LADY CAPULET Here comes your father; tell him so yourself,
Here comes your father; you tell him what you did
And see how he will take it at your hands.
and see what he will do
JULIET O comfortable friar! where is my lord?
I do remember well where I should be,
And there I am. Where is my Romeo?
O Friar Lawrence! Where is Romeo?
I know where I am,
Where is Romeo?
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