The aim of the following paper is to take a closer look at Shakespeare’s prose from a stylistic, linguistic and rhetorical point of view. Given the fact that Shakespeare’s prose occurs both in his comedies, tragedies and histories and prose is being used in his plays by characters of different social ranks the question is to be asked which various functions prose as a medium fulfils in relationship to such other functions as setting, dialogue, action and theme. According to Brian Vickers Elizabethan audiences must have been aware of the alternation of prose and verse. It can be assumed that any deviation from the norm which was blank verse was a) felt by attentive audiences and b) had an impact on the way actors behaved on the stage. In the following essay I shall employ the critical method devised by Vickers in his book “The Artistry of Shakespeare’s Prose”. First, I shall be dealing with different forms of Shakespearean imagery. For the sake of convenience, I am making use of the categories suggested by Vickers. Second, I am trying to find examples showing those recurrent Shakespearean devices which have a determinant influence on what Vickers calls ‘the linguistic structure’. These devices include features like repartee, equivocation, comic logic; malapropism, repetition; foreign and regional English; unusual syntax; fondness for proverbs; word play and punning. Third, I shall prove that Shakespeare made frequent use of various rhetorical figures.
Table of Contents
1. Thematic Imagery
2. Situational Imagery
3. Atmospheric imagery
4. Subjective Imagery
5. Objective Imagery
6. Forensic Imagery
7. Repartee
8. Equivocation
9. Comic Logic
10. Malapropism
11. Repetition
12. Foreign and Regional English
13. Fondness for Proverbs and Sententiae
14. Wordplay and Punning
14.a) antanaclasis
14.b) paronomasia
14.c) syllepsis
14.d) asteismus
15. anaphora
16. antimetabole (chiasmus)
17. epistrophe
18. gradatio
19. hypallage
20. isocolon
21. parison
22. par omoion
Research Objectives and Thematic Focus
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a stylistic, linguistic, and rhetorical examination of William Shakespeare’s use of prose across his body of dramatic works, analyzing how prose functions as a medium in relationship to setting, dialogue, action, and theme.
- Analysis of diverse forms of Shakespearean imagery as categorized by Brian Vickers.
- Investigation into recurrent linguistic devices that shape the dramatic structure of Shakespeare’s plays.
- Examination of the functional shift between prose and verse in various social contexts.
- Evaluation of rhetorical figures employed by Shakespeare to enhance characterization and dramatic tension.
- Application of the critical methodology established in "The Artistry of Shakespeare’s Prose."
Excerpt from the Book
3. Atmospheric Imagery
As the Scottish King Duncan and his retinue are approaching the castle, where the newly created Thane of Cawdor Macbeth and his lady reside, the King and his general can only marvel at the beauty and geniality of the place. Banquo is particularly labouring the image of a martin as a symbol of unpolluted air and lovely ambience. The King’s and his general’s first impressions are in sharp contrast to what will be happening later.
Summary of Chapters
1. Thematic Imagery: Explores images that maintain a consistent relationship with the play's development, illustrated through Hamlet and Troilus and Cressida.
2. Situational Imagery: Examines how specific situations trigger important imagery, exemplified by Coriolanus.
3. Atmospheric imagery: Analyzes the use of imagery to establish the setting's mood, specifically in Macbeth.
4. Subjective Imagery: Discusses imagery derived from personal psychological states, exemplified by Othello.
5. Objective Imagery: Explores imagery related to external events or objective descriptions in Richard III.
6. Forensic Imagery: Investigates the use of manipulative or persuasive imagery, shown through Iago in Othello.
7. Repartee: Defines and illustrates the use of sharp, witty retorts in dramatic dialogue.
8. Equivocation: Explores the dramatic use of ambiguous language to avoid direct speech.
9. Comic Logic: Analyzes the construction of illogical or distorted reasoning for comedic effect.
10. Malapropism: Discusses the unintentional misuse of words as a tool for characterization.
11. Repetition: Examines the dramatic impact of repeating words or phrases to establish tension or character traits.
12. Foreign and Regional English: Studies how dialect and non-standard English contribute to naturalistic character portrayal.
13. Fondness for Proverbs and Sententiae: Analyzes the use of proverbial wisdom to add gravity to dramatic scenes.
14. Wordplay and Punning: Categorizes various forms of puns and their linguistic mechanics.
15. anaphora: Explores the rhetorical use of repeated words at the beginning of clauses.
16. antimetabole (chiasmus): Defines the reversal of structure for rhetorical emphasis.
17. epistrophe: Examines the repetition of words at the end of members.
18. gradatio: Describes the use of climbing, chain-like figures in rhetoric.
19. hypallage: Illustrates the interchange of natural word relations.
20. isocolon: Analyzes clauses of equal length for rhythmic effect.
21. parison: Discusses equal structure in successive clauses.
22. par omoion: Investigates corresponding sounds within matching structures.
Keywords
Shakespearean Prose, Dramatic Language, Imagery, Rhetorical Figures, Linguistic Structure, Repartee, Equivocation, Malapropism, Pun, Chiasmus, Anaphora, Brian Vickers, Dramatic Technique, Stylistics, Elizabethan English
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
This work examines the stylistic, linguistic, and rhetorical functions of prose within William Shakespeare's dramatic plays.
What are the core themes explored in the text?
The core themes include the categorization of Shakespearean imagery, the identification of linguistic devices such as punning and equivocation, and the analysis of various rhetorical figures used to develop character and tension.
What is the central research question?
The paper seeks to understand how prose acts as a medium in Shakespeare's plays and how it functions alongside elements like dialogue, setting, action, and theme to shape the overall drama.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The essay utilizes the critical methodology devised by Brian Vickers in his book "The Artistry of Shakespeare’s Prose" to categorize imagery and analyze linguistic structure.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It is divided into three parts: the forms of Shakespearean imagery, recurrent linguistic features like repartee and wordplay, and specific rhetorical figures used in his plays.
How can the keywords for this work be summarized?
Key terms include Shakespearean Prose, Dramatic Language, Imagery, Rhetorical Figures, Linguistic Structure, and specific devices like Malapropism and Chiasmus.
How does the author characterize Othello's use of prose?
The author notes that Othello's shift to prose represents a state of psychological breakdown and linguistic chaos, triggered by Iago’s manipulative use of equivocation regarding the "handkerchief."
Why does the text mention the language of Dr. Caius and parson Evans?
Their language is analyzed to demonstrate how Shakespeare used foreign, regional, and non-standard English to individualize characters and enhance the naturalistic appeal of his plays.
What role do proverbs play in Shakespeare’s dramas according to the text?
The text suggests that characters use proverbs and sententiae to provide advice or commentary, adding a layer of solemnity or traditional wisdom to the scene.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the use of prose?
The author concludes that while verse is considered the "higher medium," Shakespeare achieves "miracles of art" through prose, using it to effectively portray varying social strata and psychological states.
- Quote paper
- Dr. phil. Volker Beckmann (Author), 1983, The Variety of Shakespeare's Prose, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/488835
