Most readers associate William Shakespeare with classic iambic pentameter, but Shakespeare's works often consist of many different writing styles. According to Kim Ballard, “A mix of these two compositional forms is unusual in much literature, but common in the works of Shakespeare and other playwrights of his era” (Ballard). In his play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare uses different writing styles for different characters. Noble characters usually speak in some form of verse, while commoners generally use prose. Titania and Oberon are an interesting case because their styles change depending on the situation. Shakespeare uses blank verse, rhymed verse, and prose for Titania and Oberon to evoke a sense of scene, situation, and character throughout the play. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay When readers first meet Titania and Oberon, they are arguing over the boy Titania has taken into custody. In their initial exchange, Titania says, “What, jealous Oberon! Fairies, leap hence:/I have renounced his bed and his company," to which Oberon replies, "Wait, thou reckless unrestrained: am I not thy lord?" (2.1.63-65). For Oberon and Titania are royals in the fairy world, they would almost certainly speak in verse to denote their nobility. However, the writing style must also fit the situation. Therefore, both characters speak in unrhymed verse confirming their social status, but also shows that the two exchange words rather than carefully considering their words, as they would if they expressed love rather than anger. In 2.2, Oberon decides to use a magic potion to make Titania fall in love with the first creature he 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 languish for his sake: / Be it ounce, or cat, or bear, /Pard, O shaggy-haired boar,/In thine eye shall appear/When thou wakest, he is thy dear:/Wake up when some vile thing is nigh” (2.2.33-40). At this point Oberon uses rhyming verse. This is because he is casting a spell and trying to enchant her with a love potion. He's trying to distract her so he can have the baby, so obviously he talks to her a little sweeter. Once Titania wakes up and falls in love with Bottom, her language also changes. Seeing Bottom, he says: “Do not wish to go out of this wood:/You will remain here, whether you will or not./I am an uncommon spirit;/Summer still tends to my state; / And I love you: therefore come with me; / I will give you fairies to attend you, / And they will bring you jewels from the depths, / And they will sing while you sleep on the pressed flowers..." (154 -61). This time, Titania speaks in rhyming verse, which is common when a character expresses his love to another. Titania is under Oberon's spell, so she speaks sweetly to Bottom. Keep in mind: This is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now scenes uses a different writing style to distinguish scenes and situations and characters. All three use some form of verse, but the subtle differences can convey very different meanings. Rhyming verse indicates love and kindness, while blank verse is used to convey anger and impulsiveness. Noticing these differences is important to understanding the full meaning of Shakespeare's works.