What is the defining feature of blank verse?

The defining feature of blank verse is its use of unrhymed iambic pentameter. This means that the lines are composed of five metrical feet, with each foot containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, creating a natural rhythm that closely resembles spoken English. The lack of rhyme allows for a more flexible expression, which is characteristic of many works of English poetry, especially during the Renaissance period. Authors like Shakespeare and Milton famously employed blank verse to convey complex ideas and emotions while maintaining a formal structure. This distinguishes blank verse from other types of poetry that either incorporate rhyme or follow different metrical patterns.