Shakespeare Monologues
Monologue Assignments
Directions
1. Iambic Pentameter: (iam = 2, penta = 5, meter = 1)
Meaning: There will be five round of two syllable words in one line. The second syllable is always stressed.
A. Break up every two syllables. Put a slash to indicate the two syllables (even if this breaks up a word).
B. Put a “u” above the unstressed syllable and a slash above the stressed syllables.
C. Make sure you start over at every line**
2. Interpretation
A. Number the lines in your monologue
B. Write a new section with how each line should be interpreted
3. Emotion Summary
A. Summarize your character’s emotion and gestures and why he or she feels this way and moves this way.
Shakespeare Monologue Example
1. Iambic Pentameter Breakdown
u / u / u / u / u /
1. Think not / I love / him, though / I ask / for him.
u / u / u / u / u /
2. 'Tis but / a peev/ish boy;/ yet he / talks well;
u / u / u / u / u /
3. But what / care I / for words? / yet words / do well,
u / u / u / u / u /
4. When he / that speaks / them please/s those / that hear.
u / u / u / u / u / u
5. It is / a pret/ty youth:/ not ver/y pret/ty:
u / u / u / u / u /
6. But, sure,/ he's proud;/ and yet / his pride / becomes him:
u / u / u / u / u / u
7. He'll make / a prop/er man:/ the best /thing in / him
2. Monologue Interpretation
1. She is asking for a young man, but she doesn't love him.
2. He is young and annoying, but he is wise with words.
3. She is not impressed with words, but words are meaningful
4. People tend to like what he has to say
5. He is young, but not that attractive
6. He is confident, but his ego is too big for him
7. He is nobel, and that is his best trait.
3. Monologue Emotional Summary
Emotionally – judgemental, picky, confused, mean,
1. Iambic Pentameter: (iam = 2, penta = 5, meter = 1)
Meaning: There will be five round of two syllable words in one line. The second syllable is always stressed.
A. Break up every two syllables. Put a slash to indicate the two syllables (even if this breaks up a word).
B. Put a “u” above the unstressed syllable and a slash above the stressed syllables.
C. Make sure you start over at every line**
2. Interpretation
A. Number the lines in your monologue
B. Write a new section with how each line should be interpreted
3. Emotion Summary
A. Summarize your character’s emotion and gestures and why he or she feels this way and moves this way.
Shakespeare Monologue Example
1. Iambic Pentameter Breakdown
u / u / u / u / u /
1. Think not / I love / him, though / I ask / for him.
u / u / u / u / u /
2. 'Tis but / a peev/ish boy;/ yet he / talks well;
u / u / u / u / u /
3. But what / care I / for words? / yet words / do well,
u / u / u / u / u /
4. When he / that speaks / them please/s those / that hear.
u / u / u / u / u / u
5. It is / a pret/ty youth:/ not ver/y pret/ty:
u / u / u / u / u /
6. But, sure,/ he's proud;/ and yet / his pride / becomes him:
u / u / u / u / u / u
7. He'll make / a prop/er man:/ the best /thing in / him
2. Monologue Interpretation
1. She is asking for a young man, but she doesn't love him.
2. He is young and annoying, but he is wise with words.
3. She is not impressed with words, but words are meaningful
4. People tend to like what he has to say
5. He is young, but not that attractive
6. He is confident, but his ego is too big for him
7. He is nobel, and that is his best trait.
3. Monologue Emotional Summary
Emotionally – judgemental, picky, confused, mean,