There are many lines in The Tempest that Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameter, so it is hard to pick only one. As an example, the line where Miranda says, “O brave new world,” is perhaps the most famous one. Mostly, the noble characters speak in verse while the others use prose.
Every writer has a pretty recognizable pattern of writing and favorite techniques that devoted fans can quickly pinpoint. No wonder that such a great author as Shakespeare would have something similar. In most of his works, iambic pentameter is a pretty common type of line, so The Tempest is no exception. It is a metric line that seems to be quite typical for English poetry. The rhythm consists of five metrical feet in which syllables alternate between stressed and unstressed. The line from Miranda and Prospero’s conversation, which is mentioned above, is one of the most recognizable examples of iambic pentameter.
It appears that he created some sort of division between the noble characters and the others using this writing style. The play’s characters that are considered noble and of high status mostly speak in verse which is some sort of a formal way of saying. The rest of the figures less important use prose to communicate. However, in The Tempest, there is a slight but crucial detail that makes a lot of difference. Caliban, who is seen as a savage and a monster, also speaks in verse. It highlights the fact that the islander is something more than a slave. In addition, Prospero taught him literacy, and Caliban feels like he can be elevated to the level of royalty.
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