English Lit 101: Poetic Devices - Meter Iambic Trochaic Anapestic Dactylic Spondaic Pyrrhic Feet per line Monometer Dimeter Trimeter Tetrameter Pentameter Hexameter Heptameter Octameter

What It Is

Meter is a fundamental element of poetry, referring to the rhythmic pattern created by the syllables in a line of verse. It is determined by the combination of stressed and unstressed syllables in each foot, which is a unit of meter consisting of one stressed and one or more unstressed syllables. A well-known example of iambic meter, a common type of meter, can be found in Shakespeare's Sonnet 18: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" The meter of this line is iambic pentameter, with five feet of unstressed, stressed syllables (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM). Understanding meter is crucial for literary analysis as it helps readers appreciate the poet's use of rhythm and sound to convey meaning.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Meter: The rhythmic pattern created by the syllables in a line of verse.
• Foot: A unit of meter consisting of one stressed and one or more unstressed syllables.
• Iambic: A type of meter where each foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM).
• Trochaic: A type of meter where each foot consists of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (DUM-da).
• Anapestic: A type of meter where each foot consists of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable (da-da-DUM).
• Dactylic: A type of meter where each foot consists of a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables (DUM-da-da).
• Spondaic: A type of meter where each foot consists of two stressed syllables (DUM-DUM).
• Pyrrhic: A type of meter where each foot consists of two unstressed syllables (da-da).
• Monometer: A line of verse with one foot.
• Dimeter: A line of verse with two feet.
• Trimeter: A line of verse with three feet.
• Tetrameter: A line of verse with four feet.
• Pentameter: A line of verse with five feet.
• Hexameter: A line of verse with six feet.
• Heptameter: A line of verse with seven feet.
• Octameter: A line of verse with eight feet.
• Caesura: A pause within a line of verse.
• Crescendo: A gradual increase in the intensity of the rhythm.
• Decrescendo: A gradual decrease in the intensity of the rhythm.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Meter is the same as rhythm.
• Correction: Meter refers specifically to the rhythmic pattern created by the syllables in a line of verse, while rhythm is a broader term that encompasses meter and other rhythmic patterns.
• Misunderstanding: Iambic meter is the same as trochaic meter.
• Correction: Iambic meter has an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM), while trochaic meter has a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (DUM-da).
• Misunderstanding: Spondaic meter is the same as pyrrhic meter.
• Correction: Spondaic meter has two stressed syllables (DUM-DUM), while pyrrhic meter has two unstressed syllables (da-da).

Quick Application / Identification

1. Identify the meter of the following line: "The rain falls soft upon the ground." Answer: Iambic tetrameter. Reason: The line has four feet of unstressed, stressed syllables (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM).
2. Identify the type of meter in the following line: "The stars shone bright in the midnight sky." Answer: Iambic pentameter. Reason: The line has five feet of unstressed, stressed syllables (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM).
3. Identify the type of meter in the following line: "The waves crashed strong on the rocky shore." Answer: Trochaic tetrameter. Reason: The line has four feet of stressed, unstressed syllables (DUM-da DUM-da DUM-da DUM-da).

Last?Minute Revision

• Meter is not the same as rhythm.
• Iambic meter has an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM).
• Trochaic meter has a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (DUM-da).
• Spondaic meter has two stressed syllables (DUM-DUM).
• Pyrrhic meter has two unstressed syllables (da-da).
• Monometer is a line of verse with one foot.
• Dimeter is a line of verse with two feet.
• Trimeter is a line of verse with three feet.
• Tetrameter is a line of verse with four feet.
• Pentameter is a line of verse with five feet.
• Hexameter is a line of verse with six feet.
• Heptameter is a line of verse with seven feet.
• Octameter is a line of verse with eight feet.
• Caesura is a pause within a line of verse.
• Crescendo is a gradual increase in the intensity of the rhythm.
• Decrescendo is a gradual decrease in the intensity of the rhythm.
• Meter is used to create a specific effect or mood in a poem.
• Meter can be used to convey meaning or emotion in a poem.
• Meter is an important element of poetry that can be used to create a specific effect or mood.