Blank Verse (Meaning and examples)

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Blank verse is a type of poetry that has a regular meter but no rhyme. It is most commonly written in iambic pentameter, meaning each line has ten syllables with an alternating pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. Blank verse is widely used in English literature, especially in drama and poetry, because it closely resembles natural speech.

Features of Blank Verse

  1. Unrhymed lines – Unlike rhymed poetry, blank verse does not follow a rhyme scheme.
  2. Iambic pentameter – Each line typically has ten syllables in a pattern of unstressed and stressed beats (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM).
  3. Flexible and natural – It mimics the rhythm of spoken English, making it suitable for dramatic dialogue and long poetic works.
  4. Used in drama and epic poetry – Many famous plays and epic poems are written in blank verse.

Famous Examples of Blank Verse

  • William Shakespeare used blank verse in his plays, such as "Hamlet", "Macbeth", and "Romeo and Juliet".
    Example from "Hamlet":
    “To be, or not to be, that is the question:”
  • John Milton wrote "Paradise Lost", an epic poem in blank verse.
  • Christopher Marlowe used blank verse in plays like "Doctor Faustus".
  • William Wordsworth used blank verse in "Tintern Abbey" to create a natural flow of thought.

Impact of Blank Verse in Literature

Blank verse has played a major role in English poetry and drama. It allows poets and playwrights to write in a way that is structured yet flexible, making it ideal for expressing deep emotions, complex ideas, and natural speech.


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