Patterns of RhythmPatterns of Rhythm

Bedford Introduction to LiteratureBedford Introduction to Literature

Chapter 27Chapter 27

Principles of MeterPrinciples of Meter

Measures stressed and unstressed syllablesMeasures stressed and unstressed syllables Meter – the pattern of syllablesMeter – the pattern of syllables

Stressed – Stressed – Unstressed – Unstressed – ˘̆

˘ ˘˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘

Syl-Syl-la-blela-ble Syl-Syl-la-la-bleble

Meter in Every Day LanguageMeter in Every Day Language

Repeat these words:Repeat these words: AwayAway LovelyLovely UnderstandUnderstand DesperateDesperate Dead SetDead Set

Types of MeterTypes of Meter

Foot – a metrical unit by which a line of poetry is Foot – a metrical unit by which a line of poetry is measured. Contains two or three syllables.measured. Contains two or three syllables.

FootFoot PatternPattern ExampleExample

˘ ˘ IambIamb ˘ ˘ a – waya – way

˘̆

Trochee Trochee ˘̆ Love - lyLove - ly

Types of MeterTypes of Meter

FootFoot PatternPattern ExampleExample

˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ anapestanapest ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ un – der - standun – der - stand

˘ ˘˘ ˘

dactyldactyl ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ des – per – atedes – per – ate

spondeespondee dead setdead set

PyrrhicPyrrhic ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘

Practice TimePractice Time ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘

Hickory dickory docHickory dickory doc

˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ The mouse ran up the clockThe mouse ran up the clock

˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ The clock struck oneThe clock struck one

˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ And down he runAnd down he run

˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ ˘ Hickory dickory docHickory dickory doc

Metrical LinesMetrical Lines

Page 894 in the BedfordPage 894 in the Bedford

Rising Meters – metrical lines moving from Rising Meters – metrical lines moving from unstressed to stressed soundsunstressed to stressed sounds

Falling Meters – metrical lines moving from Falling Meters – metrical lines moving from stressed to unstressed soundsstressed to unstressed sounds

Lines of PoetryLines of Poetry

Line - measured by the number of feet it containsLine - measured by the number of feet it contains

monometer – one footmonometer – one foot pentameter – five feetpentameter – five feet

dimeter – two feetdimeter – two feet hexameter – six feethexameter – six feet

trimeter – three feettrimeter – three feet heptameter – seven feetheptameter – seven feet

tetrameter – four feettetrameter – four feet octameter – eight feetoctameter – eight feet