Rhymed verse
While blank verse forms the basis of Shakespeare's writing, he often uses rhyme. Frequently a rhymed couplet (a pair of lines whose end words rhyme) closes the scene and sometimes suggests what will come next:
HAMLET The play's the thing
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King.
Shakespeare uses rhyme and a variety of rhythm patterns to distinguish special characters such as the witches in Macbeth and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. 'Double, double, toil and trouble / Fire burn and cauldron bubble,' chant the witches . In addition to the rhyme, notice that this is not an iambic line, being only four feet long and with the stresses reversed from the iambic. Shakespeare has created a special musical rhythm for these supernatural characters.
Shakespeare also uses rhyme to make comments and for special occasions such as songs and epilogues. Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Prospero in The Tempest say farewell to the audience in rhyme.
Rhyme is a clue to character or situation. It is always helpful to ask why Shakespeare is using rhyme at a particular point and what effect it has.
Shakespeare's many songs use rhymed verse.
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