Reading in Drama
There is some debate over whether works such as Shakespeare's were originally performed with the rhythm prominent, or whether the rhythm was embedded in the patterns of contemporary speech. In either case, when read aloud, such verse naturally follows an iambic beat.
The rhythm of iambic pentameter was emphasised in Kenneth Branagh's 2000 production of Love's Labour's Lost, in a scene where the protagonists tap-dance to the "Have at you now, affection's men-at-arms" speech. In this case, each iamb is underscored with a flap step.
Read more about this topic: Iambic Pentameter
Famous quotes containing the words reading and/or drama:
“I knew you forever and you were always old,
soft white lady of my heart. Surely you would scold
me for sitting up late, reading your letters....”
—Anne Sexton (19281974)
“The drama is complete poetry. The ode and the epic contain it only in germ; it contains both of them in a state of high development, and epitomizes both.”
—Victor Hugo (18021885)