RALPH: It’s clear that the Prince’s eloquent speech is not the way people normally speak. That’s partly because it uses rhetorical devices such as metaphors and imagery, and also the lines have rhythm.

SARAH: Let’s take a look at these two lines; listen to the rhythm.

RALPH: If ever you disturb our streets again,

Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

SARAH: Note that each line has ten syllables and that every other syllable is stressed. This style of poetic line is referred to as iambic pentameter.

RALPH: Notice also that the lines do not rhyme. Poetry that does not rhyme is referred to as blank verse. The great majority of the dialogue in Shakespeare’s plays is written in blank verse.

SARAH: It seems strange to us that Shakespeare wrote his plays in poetic form, but it wouldn’t have seemed strange to Shakespeare's audience. 

RALPH: That’s right. Back then, almost all serious literature, including plays, was written in poetic verse.