Language: Verse versus Prose

Throughout the Project, we've discussed the use of prose and how it differs from the use of verse.  We've discussed the use of verse for heightened language and prose for the more mundane (the more, well, prosaic), and of course there's always that nobility = verse//commoners = prose thing.

But how does it work within The Two Gentlemen of Verona?


SceneProse/VerseNotes
I.iopens in verseValentine and Proteus
upper/middle class
shift to prose on Speed's entrancelower class/clowns
I.iiall verseJulia and Lucetta
even though Lucetta is Julia's waitingwoman, Lucetta is NOT a clown and so the verse seems logical
I.iiiall verseAntonio, Panthino, and Proteus
though Panthino is Antonio's servant, Panthino is not a clown
II.iopens in proseValentine and Speed
Speed clowning in prose
shift to verse on Silvia's entranceSilvia is the daughter of the Duke of Milan (thus aristocratic)
shift to prose on Silvia's exita return to Speed's clowning

Speed recites a poem in verse, but the words are Silvia's (written in fourteeners, no less)
http://thebillshakespeareproject.com/2010/02/09/poetry-reviewpreview-to-the-iamb-and-beyond.aspx
II.iiall verseJulia and Proteus
upper/middle class
II.iiiall prosePanthino and Launce
two servants, one a clown (no prosaic surprise here)
II.ivopens in proseSilvia, Thurio, and Valentine (plus, for about seven lines, Speed)
There's really no reason this should be prose, given the social status... or is there a hierarchical thing working here, since...
shift to verse on Duke's entranceverse = nobility
II.vall proseSpeed and Launce
both servants, both clowns, both clowning
II.viall verseProteus soliloquy
upper/middle class
II.viiall verseJulia and Lucetta
even though Lucetta is Julia's waiting woman, Lucetta is NOT a clown and so the verse seems logical
III.iopens in verseDuke, Thurio, Proteus, and Valentine
nobility and upper/middle class
shift to prose on Proteus/Launce's entranceProsaic interaction between servant and two "upper"-classmen
return to verse on Proteus/Valentine focusupper/middle class
shift to prose on Proteus/Valentine's exitLaunce is joined by Speed
both servants, both clowns
III.iiall verseDuke, Thurio, and Proteus
nobility and upper/middle class
IV.iall verseValentine, Speed and outlaws
there are a few prosaic non-comic asides by Speed to Valentine
IV.iiall verseProteus, Thurio, and Silvia:
upper/middle class

a few prose asides between Julia (disguised as Sebastian--now lower class) and the "Host" (non-noble)
a few prose lines between Julia (disguised as Sebastian--now lower class) and Silvia
IV.iiiall verseEglamour and Silvia
a few prosaic lines at the end of the scene
IV.ivopens in proseLaunce soliloquy
servant/clown (and dog... woof)
shift to verse on Proteus' entranceupper/middle class
some prose in the interaction between Proteus and Launce (master and lower class servant)
V.iall verseEglamour and Silvia
upper/middle class
V.iiall verseDuke, Proteus, Thurio
upper/middle class
with a few prosaic lines between Thurio and Proteus
V.iiiall verseOutlaws and Silvia
here, too, like in IV.i, the outlaws speak in verse... could this be proof of Valentine's description of them as being "endued with worthy qualities" (V.iv.154)?
V.ivall verseall verse save for a few prosaic lines between Proteus and Julia/Sebastian BEFORE her revelation as Julia



It all seems fairly routine, with no interesting anomalies... and without the interesting anomalies, there's little interest...

[sorry for wasting a day]



 

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