Introduction

Welcome back to another poetry mini-lesson! In our previous lesson, we explored the concepts of stanza and rhyme. Today, we will dive into the fascinating world of meter in poetry. Meter is the musical rhythm that brings a poem to life. In this article, we will discuss the different types of feet, syllable counts, and how they come together to create meter in a line of poetry. Let’s begin!

Understanding Feet

Before we delve into meter, it is essential to understand the concept of poetic feet. A line of poetry is divided into feet, and each foot typically consists of two syllables, although there are exceptions. For example, some feet can have three syllables. Let’s examine an example from a famous poem by Robert Frost titled “Whose woods these are”:

“Whose woods these are I think I know”

In this line, we can count the syllables to determine the number of feet. Each word in the line happens to be one syllable, resulting in a total of eight syllables. Since most feet consist of two syllables, we can divide the eight syllables into four feet. Therefore, this line has four feet.

Analyzing Meter

Now that we understand feet, let’s analyze the meter in our example line. When we listen to the line, “Whose woods these are I think I know,” we can observe a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. In this particular line, each foot begins with an unstressed syllable and ends with a stressed syllable.

Types of Poetic Feet

Poetic feet are defined by the number of syllables they contain, the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, and the placement of these syllables within a foot. In our example, the feet consist of unstressed syllables followed by stressed syllables, which is known as an iambic foot. The opposite, with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable, is called a trochaic foot.

Aside from iambs and trochees, there are other types of poetic feet worth mentioning. Anapestic feet begin with two unstressed syllables and end with a stressed syllable, while dactylic feet have a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables. Furthermore, spondaic feet have two stressed syllables, and pyrrhic feet have two unstressed syllables.

The Role of Syllables in Meter

Now that we have covered poetic feet and their syllable patterns, let’s explore how they contribute to the overall meter of a line. Lines in poetry are formed by combining feet, and the number of feet determines the type of meter. Here, we will explore the Greek terminology associated with meter:

  • Monometer: A line of poetry with one foot
  • Dimeter: A line with two feet
  • Trimeter: A line with three feet
  • Tetrameter: A line with four feet
  • Pentameter: A line with five feet
  • Hexameter: A line with six feet
  • Heptameter: A line with seven feet
  • Octameter: A line with eight feet

By understanding this Greek terminology, we can identify the meter of a line based on the number of feet it contains.

Applying It All: Analyzing Our Example Line

Let’s revisit our example line, “Whose woods these are I think I know.” We already established that it consists of four feet, each with a weak syllable (unstressed) followed by a strong syllable (stressed). Putting all the information together, we can identify the meter of this line as “iambic tetrameter.” “Iambic” refers to the pattern of weak and strong syllables, and “tetrameter” signifies the presence of four feet in the line.

Robert Frost, the renowned poet, often wrote in iambic meter. In fact, he utilized both iambic tetrameter and iambic pentameter. Similarly, Shakespeare predominantly employed iambic meter, particularly in his plays.

Conclusion

Meter plays a significant role in the rhythmic structure of poetry. By understanding the concept of poetic feet, the number of syllables, and meter patterns, we can analyze and appreciate the musicality and artistry of a poem. Whether it is the steady heartbeat of iambs or the energetic bounce of trochees, meter brings life to the words on the page. Next time you read a poem, pay attention to its meter and let the rhythmic symphony guide you through the poet’s world.