In literature, different styles of writing can be used to express characters’ feelings and moods. Blank verse refers to poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter, often used in dramatic monologues or speeches to reflect grandeur or emotional intensity. Prose, on the other hand, is everyday language used in dialogue or narration, which can also effectively depict intimate or casual emotional states. Understanding how authors choose between these styles helps us better analyze their portrayal of characters’ emotions.

KING: Oh, how I mourn! The world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances. And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the newborn, in tears and helplessness; Then, the schoolboy, whining with his satchel; Next, the lover, sighing for his beloved; Then, the soldier, proud and eager; Afterward, the justice, pondering and wise; Last, the second childishness, and mere oblivion. Every part is played with passion, and the language shifts from poetic grandeur to simple narration as the scene changes.