- Sonnets: Shakespeare's sonnets are some of his most famous works, and they exemplify his mastery of the form. A sonnet is a 14-line poem, typically written in iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyme scheme. Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, which explore a wide range of topics, including love, friendship, beauty, mortality, and the nature of time.
- Blank verse: Blank verse is unrhymed iambic pentameter. Shakespeare used blank verse extensively in his plays, particularly in the later tragedies and comedies. It allowed him to create a sense of natural speech while maintaining a poetic rhythm.
- Rhymed verse: Shakespeare also used rhymed verse in his plays, particularly in the earlier histories and comedies. Rhymed verse can be used to create a sense of lightness and humor, or to emphasize important moments or themes.
- Prose: In addition to verse, Shakespeare also wrote some of his plays in prose. Prose can be used to create a sense of realism and immediacy, or to differentiate between different social classes or characters.