Blank verse – no rhyme

Blank verse is poetry written with no rhyme, but which has metrical (rhythmic) lines – usually iambic pentameter.

Iambic pentameter, just to summarise, is poetry written with 10 syllables – five metric feet each consisting of a short syllable followed by a long syllable.

The “I am a BiC” (iambic pentameter) pen went blank (blank verse) on

the last word (no rhyme).

Example 1

The following is not pure iambic pentameter, but follows the general pattern of that metre, with five feet in each line. Note there is no rhyme:

 

To be, or not to be, that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them. To die – to sleep,

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;

To sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there's the rub

                                                            William Shakespeare, from Hamlet

 

 

Example 2

Common speech (stressed words in bold type):

 

“I went to town to buy a loaf of bread.”

 

“I’ll see you at the theatre, don’t be late!”

 

Example 3

The Bible:

 

Jehovah is my shepherd; I’ll not want

In pastures green He’ll cause me to lie down;

Beside still waters He will nurture me.

                                                                Psalm 23

 

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