1. Blank Verse: Shakespeare primarily wrote in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of ten syllables per line. By varying the rhythm or employing "spondees" (two stressed syllables together), he could emphasize specific words or phrases.
2. Repetition: Repeating certain words, phrases, or ideas draws the audience's attention and creates emphasis.
3. Parallelism: Using similar grammatical structures or phrasing in successive lines enhances the importance of the ideas being conveyed.
4. Contrasts and Juxtapositions: Placing contrasting elements or ideas next to each other can create a sharp focus and highlight the significance of the difference.
5. Rhyme: Shakespeare occasionally used rhyming couplets to mark the end of a scene, emphasize important moments, or create a distinct tone.
6. Figurative Language: Devices like similes, metaphors, personification, and alliteration can bring attention to specific lines and add layers of meaning.
7. Enjambment: Running sentences over multiple lines without punctuation creates a sense of continuity and can give greater weight to certain phrases.
8. Aside and Soliloquies: Characters speaking directly to the audience or voicing their inner thoughts allow for moments of reflection and revelation, emphasizing the importance of those lines.
9. Rhetorical Questions: Posing questions without expecting immediate answers can provoke deeper contemplation and highlight important themes.
10. Prophecy and Foretelling: Lines that foreshadow future events or make significant predictions carry a sense of heightened importance and often prove pivotal in the play.
11. Climax and Turning Points: Key moments in the plot, such as climactic confrontations or reversals of fortune, are emphasized through powerful language and dramatic action.
12. Symbolism and Imagery: Symbolic objects or vivid imagery can draw attention to specific lines and add layers of meaning.
13. Stagecraft and Performance: Shakespeare's plays were meant to be performed, and he crafted lines with stagecraft in mind, considering factors like gestures, facial expressions, and positioning to enhance the impact of certain lines.
14. Allusions and Quotations: Referencing historical events, literature, or mythology can add weight and significance to particular lines.
15. Character Development: Shakespeare often used pivotal moments in characters' journeys to deliver significant and impactful lines.
By employing these techniques strategically, Shakespeare created lines that resonated deeply with audiences and shaped the overall meaning and impact of his plays.