What is an iambic pentameter?

An iambic pentameter is a type of metric used in traditional English poetry and verse drama, particularly employed by Shakespeare in his plays and poems. It is a line of verse composed of five metrical feet, each feet is made of one short unstressed syllable and one long stressed syllable. The rhythm of a line that has an iambic pentameter resembles a da DUM sound, similar to a heartbeat. E.g:"And I do love thee. Therefore go with me" (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 3 Scene 1)And/I do/love thee./There fore/go with/me. da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM