Copying Lines from ShakespeareFor a Reading Log

•Remember that Shakespeare writes his plays in

blank verse, unrhymed iambic pentameter.

•When you copy lines, you must capitalize and

punctuate as in the text.

•You must also show line endings.

•You must give act. scene. and line numbers.•Do not copy parts of a line that have nothing to do with the reading log.– Wrong: “This supernatural soliciting/ Cannot be

ill, cannot be good. If ill” (1.3.131-32).– Correct: “This supernatural soliciting/ Cannot be

ill, cannot be good” (1.3.131-32).– Wrong: “For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your

fires/ Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.5.50-51).

– Correct: “Stars, hide your fires/ Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.5.50-51).

•Be careful counting lines. Because of iambic pentameter, a line can split between speakers but be the same line number. – See 1.5.27; it’s split between Macbeth and

Duncan.