What is the difference between verse and prose, and why is it important?

Prose is could be called "normal language" - it is what we use in every day speech. It consists of sentences and paragraphs, and is what most novels and contemporary are written in. Verse can also be called poetry - it tends to have a regular rhythm, and is divided into "stanzas" rather than paragraphs. Verse can sometimes rhyme. 

Many of Shakespeare's plays are written in a mixture of verse and prose, often for very different effects. For example, his lower-status characters often speak in prose, as well as comedic characters. Shakespeare often reserves verse for lofty subjects such as love, and for his higher-born characters. Once you have learned the difference between verse and prose, and how to distinguish these two forms, I will teach you more about the varieties of verse, particularly iambic pentameter, also known as blank verse. 

RS
Answered by Rachel S. English Literature tutor

118917 Views

See similar English Literature GCSE tutors

Related English Literature GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I tackle an unseen poem in an exam?


What is intertextuality and why is it important?


Write a literary commentary on the following passage.


Discuss the importance of time and space in Margaret Atwood's 'Cat's Eye'


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences