Notes on Shakspere's Versification: With Appendix on the Verse Tests, and a Short Descriptiv Bibliography (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

George H. Browne

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0267810199 ISBN 13: 9780267810192

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Learn how Shakespeare’s verse achieves its musical rhythm and expressive power, with practical guidance for reading blank verse.

This scholarly guide explains the rules, variations, and historical context behind Shakespeare’s verse. It covers key topics like caesura, accents, and the shift between contraction and expansion in Elizabethan English, helping readers hear the music behind the words. An appendix on the Verse Tests and a concise descriptive bibliography provide additional context for study and comparison.

The book examines how the five-foot line functions in practice, why extra syllables appear, and how modern readers can approach Shakespeare’s rhythm without losing the sense. It also compares Shakespeare’s verse to other forms popular in his era, offering insights into authorship, performance, and the craft of versification.

• Clear explanations of rhythm, accent, and sentence stress as they apply to blank verse
• Discussion of caesura, contraction, and the subtle shifts that color Elizabethan poetry
• Examples and notes that illuminate reading aloud and interpreting verse
• Context on how verse tests relate to questions of authorship and style

Ideal for readers who want a deeper, practical understanding of how Shakespeare’s verse works and how to hear its musical rhythm when reading aloud.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0267810199
• ISBN 13: 9780267810192
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 74