Christopher Aruffo, MFA, MBA, MSc, PhD


A Rational Guide to Verse

or, Scansion Made Simple


 

Step One:  Read naturally

To read words naturally, you need natural words.  Before you begin, find words that have been unnaturally shortened with apostrophes (such as silv'ry, i' th', heav'n).  Restore them to their natural forms (silvery, in the, heaven).

You don't need to restore familiar words or contractions.  For each word, ask yourself, can this be used in modern English?  For example, you don't need to restore words like could've, 'tis, or 'twere, because modern English listeners will understand them.  The purpose of restoring unnatural words to their natural forms is so you can read them easily and be understood.

Three old English words should not be restored:  o'er, e'er, and e'en.  These are one-syllable words that rhyme with fore, where, and scene.  In old English verse, these words each had two different forms.  When a poet had room for two syllables, they were written over, ever, even.  When only one syllable would fit, the same words were ore, ere, eene.  Where o'er, e'er, and e'en appear in classical verse, poets expect the single-syllable pronunciation.

Step One:  Restore unnatural words.

My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
Which can interpret further: only, I say,
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:
And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late;              ***
Whom, you may say, if it please you, Fleance killed,       ***
For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father? damned fact!
How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight
In pious rage the two delinquents tear,
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;
For 'twould have angered any heart alive                   ***
To hear the men deny it. So that, I say,                   ***
He has borne all things well: and I do think
That had he Duncan's sons under his key--
As, and it please heaven, he shall not-- they should find  ***
What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
But, peace! For from broad words, and 'cause he failed
His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear
Macduff lives in disgrace.  Sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself?

***indicates changed line

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