Shakespeare’s Words Lecture Organizer

• Content Objective: Students will be able to articulate the characteristics and differences of prose and verse, and how
Shakespeare uses each to advance plot, illuminate themes, and describe characters.

• Language Objective: Students will be able to write 4 lines of dialogue each in prose and verse.

Dramatic writing can be split into two categories: ________________ and ________________.

1. Recall the definition of prose and verse. Which is Twelfth Night written in? What makes you think this? Write at least
three sentences. Justify your ideas to your group.

Prose

1. Prose is _____________ language.

2. Lacking __________ or ___________in the line.

3. Form of speech used by ____________________, such as (one

example)________________.

Servants in Twelfth Night

_________________________________________________________________
Find an example of prose in Twelfth Night. Write it down it below. Cite the act and scene number. Share it with your partner.
Verse
4. Verse is spoken by ____________________________.

5. Verse has _____________ rhythm and

_______________________________.

6. Used at times of __________________ drama for

____________________________.

King Lear

Find an example of verse in Twelfth Night. Write it below. Cite act and scene number. Share it with your partner.

How Did Shakespeare Use Prose

2. Shakespeare used prose to ___________________.

3. He used prose to interrupt ____________________ of the play.

4. Many of Shakespeare’s low-class characters speak in __________ to distinguish them from the _____________, verse
speaking characters.

However, this is just a rule of thumb. For example, listen to Prince Hamlet.

List three ways prose was used to create certain effects.

*
 Merry Wives of Windsor

Using your previous example of prose, explain below what you think Shakespeare was trying to achieve by using common
language. Write at least three sentences to justify your thoughts. When you are done, share with your partner.

How Did Shakespeare Use Verse

5. What pattern of verse did Shakespeare favor?

6. How many syllables per line in this type of verse?

7. On which syllable is the emphasis?

In the following lines of verse, circle the emphasized syllables. (Hint, there are 10) Then speak out loud to your partner using the
emphasis.

• If mu- / -sic be / the food / of love, / play on ("Twelfth Night")

• But, soft! / What light / through yon / der win / dow breaks? ("Romeo and Juliet")

Listen to Viola’s monologue and follow along with the text, recognizing the stressed and unstressed syllables.

VIOLA: I left no ring with her. What means this lady?

Fortune forbid my outside have not charmed her.
She made good view of me; indeed, so much
That, as methought, her eyes had lost her tongue,
For she did speak in starts distractedly.
She loves me sure; the cunning of her passion
Invites me in this churlish messenger.
None of my lord's ring? Why, he sent her none.
I am the man. If it be so, as 'tis,
Poor lady, she were better love a dream.
Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
 How easy is it for the proper false
In women's waxen hearts to set their forms!
Alas, our frailty is the cause, not we,
For such as we are made of, such we be.
How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly;
And I (poor monster) fond as much on him;
And she (mistaken) seems to dote on me.
What will become of this? As I am man,
My state is desperate for my master's love.
As I am woman (now alas the day!),
What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe?
O Time, thou must untangle this, not I;
It is too hard a knot for me t' untie.

List three ways verse was used to create certain effects.

Using your previous example of verse, explain below what you think Shakespeare was trying to achieve by using verse. Write at
least three sentences to justify your thoughts. When you are done, share with your partner.

Recall

• Without looking back at your notes, turn to your partner and restate the
definitions of prose and verse. Give an example of the types of characters
who would speak each, and one reason why Shakespeare used that
language.
 Original Script
• Now that you are all experts on prose and verse. Imagine you are having a conversation with a friend
(or foe). Write a short script of dialogue that includes at least four lines in verse, and four lines in
prose. Keep in mind the characteristics of each, and for which purpose they are used.