Blank Verse


Blank Verse

Definition of Blank Verse
How do you define Blank Verse? What is the definition of Blank Verse?
The definition of Blank Verse is as follows:

Definition of Blank Verse

Blank Verse is Poetry that is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. Blank verse is often unobtrusive and the iambic pentameter form often resembles the rhythms of ordinary speech. William Shakespeare wrote most of his plays in blank verse.

 

Example of Blank Verse
There are many examples of different types of poetry. An example of Blank Verse can be found in the poetic work of William Shakespeare and John Berryman.

Example of Blank Verse

Excerpt from Macbeth
by
William Shakespeare

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Example of Blank Verse

The Ball Poem
by
John Berryman

What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over-there it is in the water!

 

Forms of Poetry and Literary Terms
How do you define a couplet or a Falling Meter? And what exactly is an Iambic pentameter? We have provided a definition of poetry and literary terms together with the meaning and examples, such as the above definition of Blank Verse. A helpful educational resource for those taking an English test or a University student studying English and American Literature. Each definition, such as the above definition and example of Blank Verse will provide a glossary of literary terms or a dictionary with the meaning, samples, examples and the rules of specialising in each different type of poem and poetry.

Definition of Poetry
Poetry is piece of literature written by a poet in meter or verse expressing various emotions which are expressed by the use of variety of techniques including metaphors, similes and onomatopoeia. The emphasis on the aesthetics of language and the use of techniques such as repetition, meter and rhyme are what are commonly used to distinguish poetry from prose. Poems often make heavy use of imagery and word association to quickly convey emotions. An example of Blank Verse is detailed above.

Structure of Poetry
The structure used in poems varies with different types of poetry and can be seen in the above example of Blank Verse. The structural elements include the line, couplet, strophe and stanza. Poets combine the use of language and a specific structure to create imaginative and expressive work. The structure used in some Poetry types are also used when considering the visual effect of a finished poem. The structure of many types of poetry  result in groups of lines on the page which enhance the poem's composition.

Blank Verse

  • Definition of Blank Verse
  • Literary term
  • Free Educational resource and example of this literary term
  • Structure, form, example and term
  • Example of poem and poetry illustrating Blank Verse
  • Examples of Poetry Types and Poetry terms
  • Word Association to convey emotion. Example of Poetry Type and literary term
  • Blank Verse


Blank Verse

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