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The Language in Othello - Shakespeare Learning Zone

This document provides an overview of key literary terms found in Shakespeare's play Othello, including iambic pentameter, prose and verse, rhyming couplets, and antithesis. Iambic pentameter consists of lines with five iambic feet or 10 syllables, creating a rhythmic heartbeat pattern. Most of Othello is written in iambic pentameter verse, but some parts are in prose. Rhyming couplets and antithesis using opposites are common in characters' speeches. Examples of each term are given from passages in Othello to illustrate how the techniques are used.

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Giulia Girlando
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94 views

The Language in Othello - Shakespeare Learning Zone

This document provides an overview of key literary terms found in Shakespeare's play Othello, including iambic pentameter, prose and verse, rhyming couplets, and antithesis. Iambic pentameter consists of lines with five iambic feet or 10 syllables, creating a rhythmic heartbeat pattern. Most of Othello is written in iambic pentameter verse, but some parts are in prose. Rhyming couplets and antithesis using opposites are common in characters' speeches. Examples of each term are given from passages in Othello to illustrate how the techniques are used.

Uploaded by

Giulia Girlando
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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(/shakespeare-learning-

(/) zone/othello)

KEY TERMS
Here are some of the key terms that are used when talking about Shakespeare’s
language, so you can look out for them in Othello.

IAMBIC PENTAMETER

PLAY IAMBIC PENTAMETER VIDEO

(Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ee_M1qUQ9nY)

FEEDBACK
Iambic pentameter is the name given to the rhythm that Shakespeare uses in his
plays. The rhythm of iambic pentameter is like a heartbeat, with one soft beat and
one strong beat repeated five times.

WHERE WILL I FIND IT IN OTHELLO?

Iambic pentameter is used for the majority of the play. Count the syllables in this line
where Emilia describes the handkerchief Desdemona drops. If you read it out, you
can see how it works: ‘This was her first remembrance from the Moor’ (Emilia, 3:3).

PROSE AND VERSE


PLAY PROSE AND VERSE VIDEO

(Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/KAld6vdvmIw)

Shakespeare writes in a combination of prose and verse. Prose is a conversational


way of speaking which doesn’t have a set rhythm or structure. Verse always has a set
rhythm and structure.

WHERE WILL I FIND IT IN OTHELLO?

80% of Othello is written in verse, so it’s interesting to watch out for where it isn’t
used. You can tell by looking at the page in the text. Where it looks like a poem,
Shakespeare is using verse. If it looks like writing in a book that goes the whole way
across the page, he's writing in prose.

RHYMING COUPLETS

PLAY RHYMING COUPLETS VIDEO

(Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fj9pSAm16-g)

Rhyming couplets are two lines written in iambic pentameter that end in the same
sound, or a rhyme. They are often used to sum up the end of a character’s speech.

WHERE WILL I FIND IT IN OTHELLO?

A lot of characters use rhyming couplets to finish thoughts and speeches in Othello.
Iago uses them at the end of his soliloquies. They often happen at the end of a scene.
For example, Act 4 Scene 3 ends with the couplet ‘Goodnight, goodnight: heaven
me such uses send / Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!’ (Desdemona,
4:3).

ANTITHESIS
PLAY ANTITHESIS VIDEO

(Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/aajz_qcQ3KA)

Antithesis happens when two opposites are put together. For example, hot and cold
or light and dark.

WHERE WILL I FIND IT IN OTHELLO?

In Iago’s first soliloquy, he ends with the lines ‘I have’t: it is engend’red: hell and
night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.’ (Iago, 1:3). Opposites
like light and dark and heaven and hell are used a lot in Othello.

TEST YOURSELF ON LANGUAGE TERMS

Shakespeare writes in a combination of

and verse. Verse is like poetry and it has a set and rhythm. The rhythm

Shakespeare uses in his plays is called pentameter, which is like a , with

one soft beat and one strong beat repeated times. Sometimes it’s also interesting to
look at lines that don’t match the rhythm of iambic pentameter and to think about why.

In Shakespeare’s plays, you will find examples of antithesis, which is when two

are put together, like hot and cold or light and . Characters also often end speeches

with rhyming , which are two lines written in that end in the

same , or a rhyme.

TEACHER NOTES

The quick test on this page can be used in class to help students recall
information about key language terms.

You may also want to use some of the activities in the videos on this page to
help you explore different aspects of language with your students.

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