Most readers associate William Shakespeare with classical iambic pentameter, but Shakespeare's plays often consist of many different writing styles . According to Kim Ballard, "a mixture of these two forms of composition is unusual in much literature, but common in the plays of Shakespeare and other playwrights of his time" (Ballard). In his comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare uses different writing styles for different characters. Noble characters typically speak in a verse form, while commoners typically use prose. Titania and Oberon are an interesting case because their styles change depending on the situation. Shakespeare uses blank verse, rhyming verse, and prose for Titania and Oberon to evoke a feeling of scene, situation, and character throughout the play. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay When readers first meet Titania and Oberon, they argue over the young boy Titania has taken into her care. During their first exchange, Titania says: “What, jealous Oberon! Fairies, jump hence:/I have forsaken his bed and his company,” to which Oberon responds, “Wait, you rash and wanton: am I not your lord? (2.1.63-65). Because Oberon and Titania are royalty in the fairy world, they would almost certainly speak in verse to denote their nobility. However, the writing style should also be appropriate for the situation. Therefore, both characters speak in unrhyming verse. This establishes their character by confirming their social status, but also shows that the two are exchanging words rather than thinking about their words thoughtfully, as they would if they were expressing love rather than anger. In 2.2, Oberon decides to use some magic. potion to make Titania fall in love with the first creature she sees. As he drops the potion into her eyes, he says, "What you see when you wake,/Do it for your true love,/Love and long for it:/Whether it be an ounce, or a cat, or a bear, / Pard, or spiky-haired boar, / In thine eye that shall appear / When thou wakest, it is thy beloved: / Wake when something vile is near” (2.2. 33-40). At this point, Oberon uses rhyming verse. It's because he casts a spell and tries to enchant her with a love potion. He tries to distract her so he can have the child, so of course he talks to her a little nicer. Once Titania wakes up and falls in love with Bottom, her language changes as well. Seeing Bottom, she said: “Do not wish to leave this wood:/You will stay here, whether you like it or not./I am a spirit beyond measure;/Summer always weighs on my state; /And I love you: therefore, go with me;/I will give you fairies to watch over you,/And they will fetch you jewels from the deep,/And sing while you sleep about pressed flowers…” (154) -61). This time, Titania speaks in rhyming verse, which is common when one character expresses love to another. Titania is under Oberon's spell, so she speaks kindly to Bottom. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Each of these scenes uses a different writing style to distinguish the scenes and situations. , and characters. All three use some form of verse, but the subtle differences can convey very different meanings. Rhyming verses indicate love and..