Shakespeare poetic terms

Sonnet

A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.

Iambic pentameter

A line of poetry with five "iambs" (one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable). It sounds like a heartbeat: da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM.

Meter and foot

rhythmic structure of a verse; and f is a single unit of that rhythm (e.g., one iamb).

Quatrain

a four lined-stanza in poetry

Couplet

Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. Shakespeare often uses these to end a scene or a sonnet.

Chorus

A single actor who serves as a narrator, providing context and foreshadowing (seen in the Prologue).

Aside

A short remark made by a character to the audience or another character that others on stage are not supposed to hear.

Monoloque

A long speech delivered by one character to other characters on stage

Doube entendre

A word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or "adult" (common in the opening scene with the servants).

Motif

A recurring element, image, or idea that has symbolic significance (e.g., the contrast between Light and Dark).

Soliloquy

Monologue given alone (long speech)