TITLE ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions Europe (1100–1800)
Can the rhythm of language increase its power?
Rhythm in English English has natural patterns of weak and strong syllables. Words like: Independent Motorcycle Emergency Football
Rhythm in English Shakespeare used the natural rhythm of English to write in Metre instead of Prose
Rhythm in English ‘Metre’ means: Every line follows a rhythmic pattern
SHABOOM ECHO ah 1, ah 2, ah 3, ah 4, ah 5
SHABOOM! Two households, both alike in dignity (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene)
Iambic Pentameter Five stresses per line ah 1 ah 2 ah 3 ah 4 ah 5 - / - / - / - / - / Two households, both a-like in dignity
Iambic Pentameter Does a line just have to consist of ten syllables to qualify as iambic pentameter?
Iambic Pentameter Change Two households, both alike in dignity to Noble families, with similar pride
Iambic Pentameter ah 1 ah 2 ah 3 ah 4 ah 5 / - / - / - / - / / - / - / - / - / Noble families, with similar pride
Iambic Pentameter Two households, both alike in dignity vs Noble families, with similar pride Strong beat in natural places
Iambic Pentameter CONTRACTIONS Don’t It’s
Iambic Pentameter CONTRACTIONS Let me be ta’en. Let me be put to death. I am content, so thou wilt have it so. (Romeo, 3.5.17–18)
Iambic Pentameter What if the words were not contracted? Let me be taken. Let me be put to death. I am content, so thou wilt have it so.
Iambic Pentameter Sounds natural Has a flowing rhythm Needs to be carefully constructed
Rhythm and Metre Metre is a pattern
Rhythm and Metre Metre is a pattern A pattern creates rhythm, which creates momentum and expectations
Playing with Momentum and Expectations
Suspending the Rhythm View Karmin-Acapella youtube.com/watch?v=KJWjfRAGnHc Suspend the rhythm and then -
Suspending the Rhythm Acapella Suspend the rhythm and then – BRING THE BEAT BACK
Momentum and Expectations Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For ne’er saw true beauty
Momentum and Expectations Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For ne’er saw true beauty till this night.
Changing the Rhythm Listen to the songs: Shout! Happy
Changing the Rhythm Thursday is near. Lay hand on heart, advise. An you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend. An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee.
Stichomythia Quick back-and-forth between characters Shows a strong connection between them Every statement gets a comeback Watch Glee clip – ‘America’
Stichomythia Paris and Juliet talking He’s pushing her to agree with him She keeps pushing back Whose rhythm wobbles? Why?
Rhythm Tricks Natural-sounding iambic pentameter Expectations and momentum Suspend the rhythm and Bring the beat back Stichomythia
Iambic Pentameter Activity Write a monologue by someone feeling a strong emotion OR A dialogue between two people arguing Use the metre to create momentum, and to play with expectations, suspend the rhythm, and stichomythia.