Worksheet on Blank Verse vs Prose: Emotional States
English
GCSE
7 questions
~14 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A worksheet exploring how blank verse and prose are used to convey emotional states, designed for GCSE students.
Worksheet Preview
Full preview • 7 questions
Worksheet on Blank Verse vs Prose: Emotional States
Subject: EnglishGrade: GCSE
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz
Untitled Worksheet
Grade GCSE
A
Introduction to Blank Verse and Prose
HAMLET: To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep,
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd.
In contrast, a character might speak plainly in prose, expressing their emotions directly without the poetic structure. For example:
OPHELIA: O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown! The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword; Th' expectancy and rose of the fair state,
Whose influence is gone and with it goes her virtue.
1.
Identify whether the first extract is written in blank verse or prose. Justify your answer briefly.
[2 marks]2.
Describe how the use of poetic structure in Hamlet’s speech helps convey intense emotional conflict.
[4 marks]B
Techniques in Expressing Emotions
OPHELIA: O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown! The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword; Th' expectancy and rose of the fair state,
Whose influence is gone and with it goes her virtue.
1.
Identify two literary techniques used in Ophelia’s speech and explain how they reflect her emotional state.
[3 marks]2.
Explain the effect of using prose rather than verse for Ophelia’s speech in this context.
[4 marks]C
Analysis of Language and Form
When I have fears that I may cease to be,
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
Before high-piled books, in charactery,
Hold like a rich garnet, the death of thought,
And think that I may never return to these.
1.
Identify the metre used in this poem and discuss how it contributes to the expression of anxiety about death.
[3 marks]2.
Analyse how the poet’s choice of language reveals their emotional fears.
[4 marks]D
Creative Writing Prompt
Write a monologue in blank verse expressing a character’s feelings of despair or hope. Use poetic techniques to enhance the emotional impact.
1.
Checklist for your monologue:
0Unlock Full Worksheet & Answers
Get instant access to the complete worksheet, answer keys, and 1,899 others
Unlimited answer keys for all worksheets
Download clean, formatted PDFs
Customize and remix any worksheet
Cancel anytime • No commitment • Start today
Quick Actions
What is Remix?
Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.
- • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
- • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
- • Add more questions (10 → 15)
- • Adjust difficulty
Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet