Question

Read these passages:

Heck. O, well done! I commend your pains;
And every one shall share i' the gains.
And now about the cauldron sing,
Like elves and fairies in a ring,
Enchanting all that you put in.

Dun. See, see, our honored hostess!
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
How you shall bid God 'eild us for your pains,
And thank us for your trouble.
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you.

The two styles are different. Why would Shakespeare create different styles for different characters?

A. The styles and characteristics are about the same in all characters, so it is less confusing to the reader.
B. The ordinary characters have poetic styles to make them more interesting than the supernatural characters.
C. Both supernatural and ordinary characters have poetic styles to make this drama more like a poem.
D. The supernatural characters have more poetic styles than ordinary characters, to distinguish their roles.

Answer 1

Shakespeare uses different styles to distinguish supernatural characters, who use a more poetic and rhythmic language, from ordinary characters, whose dialogue is more grounded in reality. This strategy creates a varied linguistic landscape and enhances the dramatic atmosphere of his works.

Step-by-step explanation:

Shakespeare creates different styles for different characters in order to distinguish between their roles and to reflect their unique qualities. The supernatural characters often speak in a more poetic and rhythmic language, as compared to ordinary characters. This stylistic choice helps to reinforce their otherworldly nature and elevates the dramatic atmosphere of the play. Ordinary characters usually speak in prose or less stylized verse, which grounds their dialogue in reality and often portrays their everyday concerns and statuses. This contrast between the lyrical language of supernatural beings and the more straightforward speech of human characters creates a dynamic and varied linguistic landscape within Shakespeare's works.

Considering the options provided, the correct answer is D. The supernatural characters have more poetic styles than ordinary characters, to distinguish their roles. An example can be seen in the works of the era, where elevated language is often used to represent divinity, nobility, or otherness, setting them apart from the common man.