Final answer:
Shakespeare used iambic pentameter to create a rhythmic flow in his writing, signify character class, and enhance the use of rhetorical devices, thus creating a memorable and engaging experience for the audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Shakespeare's Use of Iambic Pentameter
According to experts, one reason why Shakespeare used iambic pentameter is c) To create a rhythmic flow. This particular metric pattern provides a natural rhythm that mimics the human heartbeat with its da-dum, da-dum sound. Iambic pentameter is characterized by five sets of iambs per line, each consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one.
Shakespeare employed iambic pentameter not only to give his plays a rhythmic quality but also to convey the character class. The upper-class characters often spoke in iambic pentameter, while the commoners were more likely to use prose. This structure allowed Shakespeare to use various rhetorical devices like alliteration or onomatopoeia to enhance the expressiveness and memorability of the lines, which ultimately aided the audience's understanding and engagement with the performance.
In writing iambic pentameter, writers like Shakespeare often used inverted syntax to conform to the meter, creating lines that are both harmonious to the ear and rich in meaning. Though challenging to write, this poetic form elevated the literary significance of his works and highlighted Shakespeare's lexical dexterity.