This document discusses different types of language used in Shakespearean plays, specifically Act 1 Scene 1 of The Tempest. It describes blank verse as unrhymed iambic pentameter, prose as normal unstructured speech, and rhymed verse being used in songs. It notes prose indicates informality while blank verse was expected in plays. The social standing and formality of a situation impacted the use of "thee", "thou", and "you". Students are asked to analyze the specific language used in Act 1 Scene 1 and write a PEE paragraph on it.

1. Monday, 9th December
2013
L.O: To explore and analyse different
types of language in Act 1 Scene 1 of the
play.

2. Verse types

Blank verse (Unrhymed verse usually
written in iambic pentameter)
Prose (normal unrhymed speech)
Rhyme in songs, prologues and epilogues,
masques and plays within plays.

3. Blank Verse
 plays would be
It was expected that
written in verse
Verse is normally written in iambic
pentameter
Five stressed (/) syllables alternate
with five unstressed (X) syllables,
giving a ten-syllable line.
X / X / X / X / X /
 I have done nothing but in care of thee
Iambic pentameter is similar to the human heart beat.

4. Prose

 Dialogue in prose is less organised than that in
verse (blank or rhymed) which is an indication of
informality or lack of education.
 It is not the preserve of characters of low status
(Noble characters also speak in prose on
occasion).

5. Rhymed Verse

 Ariel will employ short lyrics, which we may
suppose (from other characters' responses) to be
sung or chanted, these often rhyme.

6. Forms of theatrical
language

 Social standing and the formality or informality of the
occasion affects speech.
 "Thee", "thou" and "thy" are familiar forms, while "you" is
more polite.
 Alonso is always addressed as "you". Only Caliban calls
Prospero "thee". When Prospero is testing Ferdinand, he
addresses him in the familiar "thee" form.
 However, that the "you" form may be used to avoid
friendliness as much as out of respect. Children are
"thee" to their parents, but Miranda addresses Prospero
as "you". Amazingly, Ferdinand only once speaks directly
to his father, addressing him as "sir".

7. Act 1 Scene 1

 What form does speech take in Act 1 scene 1?
 Is there any variation between the characters?
 What influences the language in this scene?
 Write a PEE paragraph analysing the language in
this scene.

8. Review

 Exit cards
 Write one thing you have learnt today about
Shakespeare’s language and The Tempest