Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The quality of mercy is not strained...


My nephew and his friend have set up a Twitter account (http://twitter.com/#!/IambYourFather)
to retell the plot of Star Wars in blank verse, as used by Shakespeare and others. You will remember that blank verse involves iambic pentameter, the rhythm of which goes de DUM de DUM de DUM de DUM de DUM - ie 5 de DUMs).

Once you get this particular beat into your head…

It’s hard get iambics off your brain.
It’s getting late and I must go to bed,
Though first I’d like to eat a piece of toast
But – woe! - I am already fat enough.
I wish I could be skinny like my mum.
I wonder why I look more like my dad?

Blank verse is easy - since it doesn’t rhyme.
No wonder Shakespeare churned out such a lot,
Though unlike me, he made his language soar.
(He also wrote of envy, lust and death,
Which added to the drama, I suppose,
But I have no desire to do the same).

The Bard did put rhymes, sometimes, at the end
Of scenes, which on the whole I can commend.

20 comments:

  1. Very entertaining - and I love the photo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Laughter is the best medicine!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have never watched Star Wars!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Methinks my cousin hath too much spare time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoyed that Isabelle!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11:52 am

    Thanks for your advice about my camera. I have cleaned the sensor and the little mirror. Now I just need a sunny day to test it! Scott

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sighing, just looking at those gorgeous toes, peeping out from that blanket!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous4:45 pm

    An attention-grabbing dialogue is worth comment.
    I feel that it's best to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but generally persons are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
    my web site - fishingspain.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous6:52 pm

    Generally I don't learn article on blogs, but I would like to

    say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it! Your

    writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice post.
    My web blog catral.biz

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous7:22 am

    My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post's to be what precisely I'm

    looking for. Do you offer guest writers to
    write content available for you? I wouldn't mind writing

    a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write

    regarding here. Again, awesome web log!
    My web site :: http://www.destination-innovation.com/articles/?p=706

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous6:36 pm

    It's a shame you don't have a donate button! I'd without a doubt donate to

    this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i'll settle
    for

    bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.

    I look forward to new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!
    Here is my page :: http://shanshan330.pixnet.net/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11:48 am

    There are certainly a number of particulars like that to take into
    consideration. That is a great point to deliver up.
    I supply the thoughts above as

    general inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you

    convey up where a very powerful thing

    can be working in sincere good faith. I

    don?t know if greatest practices have emerged around issues like that, however
    I am certain that your job is clearly identified
    as a good game. Each girls and boys really feel the
    impact of only a moment’s

    pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
    My site > Pochards

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous3:17 pm

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
    I’ll

    be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information.
    Thanks for the

    post. I’ll definitely comeback.
    My website > Blanes,

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous6:58 pm

    wonderful publish, very informative. I wonder why
    the other specialists of this sector don't realize this.

    You should proceed your writing. I'm sure, you've a great readers'

    base already!
    My web site :: informatica4dummys.blogspot.ru

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous2:06 am

    Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard

    against hackers? I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on.
    Any suggestions?
    Here is my blog - health insurance lead sales

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous4:14 pm

    I wanted to construct a brief comment to be able to

    express gratitude to you for some of the precious hints
    you are showing on this

    site. My long internet research has at the end been compensated with pleasant insight to
    exchange with my friends and family. I 'd state that that many of us website visitors actually are truly blessed to be in a wonderful

    site with very many outstanding professionals with good opinions. I feel

    somewhat lucky to

    have seen your webpages and look forward to so many more

    awesome

    times reading here. Thanks once more for

    everything.
    my website: http://raisingkanecalifornia.blogspot.ru/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous3:06 pm

    you might have a terrific blog here! would
    you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
    Feel free to visit my web page - spain embassy website in iran

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous3:00 pm

    Wonderful work! This is the type of info that should be shared around the
    internet. Shame on Google for not positioning this post higher!
    Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)
    Also visit my homepage :: spain world cup celebration photos

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous9:41 pm

    Awsome article and straight to the point.
    I don't know if this is

    really the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where

    to hire some professional writers? Thx :)
    Here is my homepage :: 2011 year calendar with Canadian holidays

    ReplyDelete