Spaces are part of the alphabet, or the phonetics, of a poem. Gaps emphasize what remains and spaces count out the beats just as spaces in music continue and sounds starts back on the same measure.
Further understanding of this comes via an article by Deloss Brown for theatre on scansion on when Shakespeare wrote in a pause. [It comes via Jilly.]
The verses demonstrates how short lines indicate silent time for the number of beats until iambic begins audibly again. One doesn’t have to just visually space the ideas to flag pause and pick up the sound units after the physical gap to make sure all beats register in phonemes.
And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose
As asses are.
I have it! It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.“As asses are” jumps out because of all the white space following its two feet. […] Iago’s wheels are spinning. At the end of the pause, he cries out, “I have it!” He has figured out how he’s going to betray and ruin Othello (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 395-398)
I completely support the fact that spaces are important in writing, both as breathing spot (especially for theater in the case of Othello) and for added realism, in particular in dialogs, but also as a visual effect.
Interesting blog you have here. I was trying to figure out who was the person who had left nice messages on my picture blog only to discover you had a plethora of blogs (one on food! oh joy!) including this LJ.