Here are a few reasons why Shakespeare used iambic pentameter in his plays:
1. Tradition: Iambic pentameter had a long history of use in English poetry before Shakespeare's time, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was considered a traditional meter for serious drama and poetry, and Shakespeare adopted it as a way of connecting his work to this established literary tradition.
2. Emphasis: The regular rhythm of iambic pentameter helps to draw attention to important words and phrases in a line of verse. This allows Shakespeare to emphasize key moments and ideas in his plays, ensuring that they are memorable to the audience.
3. Emotion: Iambic pentameter can help to convey different emotions and create a particular atmosphere in a scene. For example, fast-paced, rhythmic iambic pentameter can create a sense of urgency or excitement, while slower, more deliberate iambic pentameter can create a sense of solemnity or reflection.
4. Characterisation: Shakespeare used iambic pentameter to distinguish between different characters in his plays. Characters of higher social status, such as kings and queens, often speak in iambic pentameter, while characters of lower status may speak in prose or simpler verse forms. This use of meter helps to convey social hierarchy and character traits.
5. Flexibility: Iambic pentameter can be used flexibly to create different effects. For example, Shakespeare sometimes "breaks" the iambic pentameter by introducing extra unstressed syllables or "feminine endings" (lines ending with an unstressed syllable). These deviations from the regular pattern can add emphasis, create surprise, or mimic natural speech patterns.
Overall, Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter in his plays was a deliberate choice that served a number of artistic purposes, including creating a sense of tradition, emphasising important ideas, conveying emotion, distinguishing between characters, and maintaining flexibility in his verse.