Blank Verse: Definition, Examples, Key Features
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 7 min read

Contents

Picture a beautiful poem: its rhythm, the way it flows, the sense of structure without the constraint of rhyme. This, dear reader, is the magic of blank verse. It's a poetic form that has fascinated writers and readers alike for centuries, providing a unique space for creativity and expression. In this blog, we're going to explore what's blank verse, its history, key features, and some famous examples. So, sit back, relax, and let's embark on this poetic journey together.

What is blank verse?

If you've ever found yourself wondering, "what's blank verse?" you're in the right place. Let's clear the air: blank verse is a type of poetry that doesn't rhyme but has a specific rhythm or beat. This rhythm is called iambic pentameter—an impressive name, isn't it? But don't worry, it's not as complex as it sounds.

Unrhymed Poetry

One of the things that sets blank verse apart from other types of poetry is that it doesn't have to rhyme. That's right—you can put your rhyming dictionary away! This means that the focus in blank verse is more on the rhythm and flow of words, rather than making sure that certain lines end with a matching sound. It gives a lot of freedom to poets and allows for more natural, conversational language.

Iambic Pentameter

Now, let's talk about the rhythm in blank verse: the iambic pentameter. You might think, "That sounds like something a rocket scientist would say!" But, it's actually simpler than it sounds. An "iamb" is a unit of rhythm that has one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one—like the word 'believe'. "Penta" means five, so "iambic pentameter" just means that there are five iambs in a line. So, in blank verse, you'd have lines like this: "The sun did set upon another day."

Giving Voice to Characters

One cool thing about blank verse is how it can give voice to characters in plays. Since it's unrhymed, it can sound more like natural speech than other types of verse. But the consistent rhythm of iambic pentameter gives it a musical quality that's different from everyday conversation. This combination can make characters' speeches feel more dramatic and memorable, and it's a big reason why many famous playwrights, like William Shakespeare, used blank verse in their works.

So there you have it! That's your answer to "what's blank verse?"— a form of unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter. It's a wonderful medium that combines the freedom of free verse with the rhythm of traditional poetry. But the journey doesn't end here—stay tuned to explore the origin, key features, and some stunning examples of blank verse!

Origin and history of blank verse

Now that you know what's blank verse, let's time-travel back to its roots. Like many other things in English literature, blank verse has its roots deep in the heart of the Renaissance. But it didn't just appear out of nowhere—it was a deliberate creation by poets looking for new ways to express their thoughts and emotions.

Birth in Italy

The history of blank verse begins in Italy. It was born in the 16th century, during the Italian Renaissance—a time of great creativity and innovation in many fields, including literature. Italian poets were striving for a more natural way of writing poetry, something that could mirror the natural rhythms of speech. And thus, blank verse was born.

Adoption in England

From Italy, blank verse made its way to England, thanks to the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. He was the first to write in this form in the English language, and his translations of Virgil's Aeneid in the 16th century were the first examples of blank verse in English literature. It was a bold move, but it paid off—blank verse became popular among English poets and readers alike.

Golden Age with Shakespeare

Blank verse really hit its stride during the Elizabethan era, when a certain playwright by the name of William Shakespeare started using it in his plays. Shakespeare loved blank verse and used it to give voice to his characters in a more natural, conversational way than rhymed verse could achieve. And with that, blank verse became the go-to form for English drama, a trend that continued for centuries.

So, that's a quick tour of the history of blank verse—from its birth in Italy to its adoption in England and its flowering under Shakespeare. It's a rich history that shows how this form has evolved and adapted over time. But what makes blank verse so special? Stay with us and we'll explore the key features of blank verse that set it apart.

Key features of blank verse

Now that we've looked at the origin and history of blank verse, let's dive into the unique characteristics that make it stand out in the world of poetry. If you've ever wondered "what's blank verse?" and what makes it so special, this section is for you.

Unrhymed Lines

Blank verse is unrhymed, meaning it doesn't have the end rhymes that we often associate with poetry. This might sound a bit strange at first—after all, isn't rhyme one of the things that makes poetry, well, poetry? But here's the thing: rhyme isn't a requirement for a poem. In fact, the absence of rhyme in blank verse allows for more freedom and flexibility, letting the poet's thoughts flow more naturally on the page.

Iambic Pentameter

While blank verse doesn't have rhyme, it does have rhythm. Specifically, it's written in iambic pentameter—a fancy term that means each line has five pairs of syllables, or "iambs", with the stress on the second syllable (think of the word "allow": it's two syllables, with the stress on the second one). This gives blank verse a steady, flowing rhythm that closely mirrors the natural rhythms of spoken English.

Versatility

Finally, one of the great features of blank verse is its versatility. It's been used in everything from epic poems to plays, from sonnets to novels. It can handle a wide range of tones and moods, from the serious to the light-hearted. This versatility makes it a favourite tool in the poet's toolbox, ready to be whipped out whenever the situation calls for it.

So, there you have it—the key features of blank verse. Unrhymed lines, iambic pentameter, and versatility. These are what make blank verse what it is, and what make it such a powerful tool for expressing thoughts and emotions in poetry. But of course, the best way to understand blank verse is to see it in action, which is what we'll do in the next section.

Famous blank verse writers and their works

Now that we've covered the key ingredients of blank verse, let's meet some of the master chefs who've used this recipe to cook up some truly memorable literary dishes. Here are some famous writers who've used blank verse to great effect in their works.

William Shakespeare

Perhaps the most famous user of blank verse is none other than William Shakespeare. In fact, it's hard to think about blank verse without thinking of him. Much of his work, including his plays and sonnets, are written in blank verse. "Romeo and Juliet", "Macbeth", "Hamlet"—you name it, it's filled with blank verse. This allowed Shakespeare to create a natural, flowing dialogue that still maintains a poetic rhythm.

John Milton

John Milton is another great user of blank verse. His epic poem "Paradise Lost" is a prime example of blank verse in action. The absence of rhyme, combined with the steady rhythm of iambic pentameter, creates a grand, flowing narrative that perfectly suits the epic nature of the story.

Robert Frost

Fast-forwarding a bit, we find Robert Frost, a modern poet who also made great use of blank verse. His poem "Birches" is a perfect example. Frost's use of blank verse adds a natural, conversational tone to his poetry, making it feel intimate and personal.

So, there you have it. These are just a few of the many writers who've used blank verse to create some of the most memorable works in literature. It's a true testament to the versatility and power of blank verse. And now, let's look at some specific examples of blank verse in literature to see how it works in practice.

Examples of blank verse in literature

Let's dive deeper into the world of blank verse. Here are some specific examples from literature that beautifully illustrate what blank verse is all about.

"To be, or not to be" - William Shakespeare, Hamlet

One of the most famous lines in all of literature, this soliloquy from Hamlet is a classic example of blank verse. Notice the rhythm in the line:

"To be, or not to be: that is the question"

It has ten syllables, in a pattern of unstressed and stressed: the heartbeat of iambic pentameter. But you'll notice there's no rhyme: that's the beauty of blank verse!

"Of Man's first disobedience" - John Milton, Paradise Lost

Let's take a look at the opening line of Paradise Lost:

"Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit"

Again, you can feel the steady rhythm of iambic pentameter. And again, no rhyme. Simple, powerful, and compelling—that's blank verse for you.

"Whose woods these are I think I know" - Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Lastly, let's look at Robert Frost. Here's the opening line of his poem:

"Whose woods these are I think I know."

In this line, Frost uses the same iambic pentameter rhythm, but with a more conversational tone. It's almost like he's just talking to you, isn't it? But make no mistake: this is blank verse.

And there you have it: a closer look at what blank verse is all about, through the lens of some of the greatest works in literature. Hopefully, this gives you a better understanding of the power and versatility of blank verse.

If you're intrigued by the world of poetry and want to explore your own creative writing abilities, check out Alieu Drammeh's workshop, '10 Minute Poetry Challenge : THINK LESS, WRITE MORE!.' This workshop will help you unleash your poetic potential through quick, inspiring exercises that focus on spontaneity and self-expression.