1. VERSE/PROSE USE: Passage is VERSE if… *words do not go across the page *1 st word of each line is capitalized *regular rhythm of stressed/unstressed syllables *10-11 syllables each line Passage is PROSE if… *words go across the page * 1 st word doesn’t begin with a capital *words don’t share a consistent rhythmic pattern LITERARY DEVICES & CONCEPTS IN SHAKESPEAREAN PLAYS

2.  Upper class characters speak verse; lower speak prose  Serious material will be in verse; comic material will be in prose  Noble characters will speak verse; villains will speak prose  Romantic passages will be in verse; non- romantic passages in prose  Antonio is lower class but speaks in verse to Sebastian  Olivia speaks prose to Andrew but verse to Viola  Andrew & Toby are upper class but speak in prose. GENERAL RULES (95%) OF THE TIME

3.  Unusual comparisons expressed in metaphors. Feste responds to Viola regarding his employment with Olivia: “…Fools are like husbands as pilchers are to herrings: the husband’s the bigger” (3.1.35-38). Fools >>>>>>>to husbands = pilchers (small fish)>herrings (slightly larger) Fools & husbands are basically the same; Olivia has neither. UNUSUAL METAPHORS (FESTE)

4.  Play on words for comic effect Orsino speaks of his love for Olivia: “So full of shapes in fancy / That alone is high fantastical” (1.1.14-15). fancy= love and imagination He is in love, but not really (It’s all in his head) PUNS (ORSINO)

5.  A self- contradictory phrase “Olivia” signs her letter, “The Fortunate-Unhappy” (2.5.163). Malvolio perceives her to be a contradiction (of the chain) OXYMORON (OLIVIA)

6.  Reality is opposite of expectation.  VERBAL (words)  DRAMATIC (audience understanding)  SITUATION (events) VERBAL: Viola speaks of Feste: “This fellow is wise enough to play the Fool” (3.1.61). Wise yet a fool-Viola’s insights DRAMATIC: Orsino and Viola converse about Cesario’s love: ORSINO. What kind of woman is ‘t?” VIOLA. Of your complexion. (2.4.30) She really speaks of Orsino SITUATION: Viola reflects on the wooing of Olivia, “Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife” (1.5.45). Exposes the love triangle IRONY: VERBAL, DRAMATIC, & IRONY OF SITUATION (VIOLA)

7. Entertains through  Improbable situations  Mistaken identity  Word play  Sexual innuendo False love Viola, Feste Feste Toby, Feste, Andrew, Fabian FARCE

8.  Criticism of people and society through ridicule Upper class portrayal Lower class portrayal SATIRE