A Comparative Study of Poetic Rhythms in the Literatures of Shakespeare and Srimanta Sankardeva

Poetic rhythm is not merely a formal feature of verse but also a reflection of cultural consciousness, aesthetic intention, and social communication. This paper undertakes brief study of the poetic rhythms of William Shakespeare (1564– 1616) and Srimanta Sankardeva (1449–1568), two seminal figures in world literature who, though separated by geography and context, both revolutionized literary traditions. Shakespeare, working in Elizabethan England, utilized iambic pentameter and blank verse to explore the complexity of human psychology and dramatic dialogue. Sankardeva, operating in medieval Assam, employed lyrical Borgeet and rhythmic narrative poetry to democratize spirituality and mobilize cultural identity under the NeoVaishnavite movement. By analyzing their rhythmic structures, performative functions, and socio-psychological implications, this study reveals how rhythm served not only as an artistic device but also as a vehicle of cultural transformation.