also shakespeare is incredibly specific. the example I like to use is the famous
“Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend me your ears!”
Which takes place in a crowded marketplace.
Count the syllables: 1 (friends), 2, (romans), 3 (countrymen), 4 (lend me your ears)
it’s a line in which the meter matches the intent - attracting attention in a big group.
Bill will also often add an eleventh unstressed syllable to his dialogue lines if he wants a character to seem vulnerable or weak, indicating they have fallen off meter because of their inner thoughts
very occasionally he does an eleventh STRESSED syllable when a character is being especially dominating and murderous.
The other famous examples is when a peasant or very low status character speaks, it won’t be in verse at all, but plain prose.
also shakespeare is incredibly specific. the example I like to use is the famous
“Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend me your ears!”
Which takes place in a crowded marketplace.
Count the syllables: 1 (friends), 2, (romans), 3 (countrymen), 4 (lend me your ears)
it’s a line in which the meter matches the intent - attracting attention in a big group.
Bill will also often add an eleventh unstressed syllable to his dialogue lines if he wants a character to seem vulnerable or weak, indicating they have fallen off meter because of their inner thoughts
very occasionally he does an eleventh STRESSED syllable when a character is being especially dominating and murderous.
The other famous examples is when a peasant or very low status character speaks, it won’t be in verse at all, but plain prose.
dammit i’m low on coffee and i’m thinking Bill? Bill who? Watterson? Why are we talking calvin and hobbes?
i’m going to go put a sticky note on my screen that says SHAKESBEEF and make some coffee brb