Terms for Discussing Terms for Discussing ProsodyProsody

What is prosody?What is prosody?

The term “prosody” refers to discussions The term “prosody” refers to discussions of the kinds of stressed and unstressed of the kinds of stressed and unstressed syllables in poems.syllables in poems.

““Scansion” or “scanning” is the process of Scansion” or “scanning” is the process of marking the beats in a poem.marking the beats in a poem.

Understanding the patterns of stressed Understanding the patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem (the and unstressed syllables in a poem (the “rhythm” of the poem) is necessary if you “rhythm” of the poem) is necessary if you want to understand sonnets and other want to understand sonnets and other poems with a specific form.poems with a specific form.

How do I know what’s stressed How do I know what’s stressed and not stressed?and not stressed?

Say the word out loud as you naturally would, but Say the word out loud as you naturally would, but listen to which syllables are emphasized. listen to which syllables are emphasized.

TrialTrial TaxesTaxes UpsetUpset RetainRetain BadmintonBadminton GovernmentGovernment PirouettePirouette Write down your answers, using capital letters for Write down your answers, using capital letters for

the syllables that you emphasized.the syllables that you emphasized.

Is this what you said?Is this what you said?

TRI-alTRI-al TAX-esTAX-es up-SETup-SET re-TAINre-TAIN BAD-min-tonBAD-min-ton GOV-ern-mentGOV-ern-ment pir-ou-ETTEpir-ou-ETTE

Marking SyllablesMarking Syllables Stressed and unstressed syllables in Stressed and unstressed syllables in

poetry are marked above the syllable.poetry are marked above the syllable. A strongly accented syllable is marked A strongly accented syllable is marked

with an accent mark like a little forward-with an accent mark like a little forward-leaning slash or apostrophe. leaning slash or apostrophe.

An unaccented syllable is marked with An unaccented syllable is marked with “breve,” which is the shallow u-shaped “breve,” which is the shallow u-shaped mark that you see in dictionaries to mark that you see in dictionaries to indicate a short vowel. indicate a short vowel.

It’s hard to reproduce those in PowerPoint, It’s hard to reproduce those in PowerPoint, so for these exercises, the system of so for these exercises, the system of capital and lower-case letters is used. capital and lower-case letters is used.

Kinds of feetKinds of feet

A unit of stressed and unstressed A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables is called a “foot.” Each of syllables is called a “foot.” Each of those words represents a different those words represents a different kind of foot.kind of foot.

Trochee Trochee

A unit of STRESSED-unstressed A unit of STRESSED-unstressed syllables (sounding like DA-dum) is syllables (sounding like DA-dum) is called a trochee (or a “trochaic’ foot).called a trochee (or a “trochaic’ foot).

TRI-alTRI-al STRESSED-unstressed (DA-STRESSED-unstressed (DA-dum)dum)

TAX-esTAX-es STRESSED-unstressed (DA-STRESSED-unstressed (DA-dum)dum)

IambIamb

A unit of unstressed-STRESSED A unit of unstressed-STRESSED syllables (da-DUM) is called an iamb syllables (da-DUM) is called an iamb (or iambic foot). (or iambic foot).

up-SET unstressed-STRESSED (da-up-SET unstressed-STRESSED (da-DUM)DUM)

re-TAIN unstressed-STRESSED (da-re-TAIN unstressed-STRESSED (da-DUM)DUM)

DactylDactyl

A unit of STRESSED-unstressed-A unit of STRESSED-unstressed-unstressed syllables is called a dactyl unstressed syllables is called a dactyl (or “dactylic” foot)(or “dactylic” foot)

BAD-min-ton (DA-dum-dum)BAD-min-ton (DA-dum-dum) GOV-ern-ment (DA-dum-dum)GOV-ern-ment (DA-dum-dum)

AnapestAnapest

A unit of unstressed-unstressed-STRESSED A unit of unstressed-unstressed-STRESSED syllables is called an anapest (anapestic syllables is called an anapest (anapestic foot).foot).

An anapestic meter—that is, a poem that An anapestic meter—that is, a poem that uses a lot of anapestic feet—is often called uses a lot of anapestic feet—is often called a “galloping” meter because it sounds like a “galloping” meter because it sounds like a horse running:a horse running:

da da DUM da da DUM da da DUM da da da da DUM da da DUM da da DUM da da DUMDUM

Pir-ou-ETTE (da-da-DUM)Pir-ou-ETTE (da-da-DUM)

NoteNote

Note: These are just examples within Note: These are just examples within words. In a poem, a foot can stretch words. In a poem, a foot can stretch across a number of words.across a number of words.

Example: Example:

““When I consider how my light is spent”When I consider how my light is spent”

might be pronounced (scanned) like this:might be pronounced (scanned) like this:

““when I conSIder HOW my LIGHT is when I conSIder HOW my LIGHT is SPENT”SPENT”

da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUMda-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM

Iambic PentameterIambic Pentameter

That pattern That pattern – da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-

DUMDUM

is called “iambic pentameter.”is called “iambic pentameter.”– ““Iambic” because the feet are iambic Iambic” because the feet are iambic

(da-DUM)(da-DUM)– ““Pentameter” because there are five Pentameter” because there are five

feet in a line.feet in a line.

Fun Facts about Iambic Fun Facts about Iambic PentameterPentameter

All of Shakespeare’s plays are written All of Shakespeare’s plays are written in unrhymed iambic pentameter in unrhymed iambic pentameter (called “blank verse.”(called “blank verse.”

Iambic pentameter is the meter used Iambic pentameter is the meter used in sonnets, which are composed of 14 in sonnets, which are composed of 14 lines of rhyming iambic pentameter. lines of rhyming iambic pentameter.

Iambic pentameter is the closest Iambic pentameter is the closest poetic line to natural speech.poetic line to natural speech.

Counting FeetCounting Feet

Iambic pentameter is a very common Iambic pentameter is a very common meter for poetry, but poets can use meter for poetry, but poets can use any number of feet in a line. any number of feet in a line.

Other common numbers of feet: Other common numbers of feet: tetrameter (4 feet) and trimeter (3 tetrameter (4 feet) and trimeter (3 feet) Look at the next slide for all the feet) Look at the next slide for all the names.names.

Naming the number of feetNaming the number of feet

1 foot = monometer1 foot = monometer 2 feet = dimeter2 feet = dimeter 3 feet = trimeter3 feet = trimeter 4 feet = tetrameter4 feet = tetrameter 5 feet = pentameter5 feet = pentameter 6 feet = hexameter6 feet = hexameter 7 feet = heptameter or “the 7 feet = heptameter or “the

septenary”septenary” 8 feet = octameter 8 feet = octameter

Odd Kinds of FeetOdd Kinds of Feet

Sometimes you’ll find two stressed or Sometimes you’ll find two stressed or two unstressed feet in a row, usually two unstressed feet in a row, usually for emphasis. A whole poem won’t be for emphasis. A whole poem won’t be this way, however.this way, however.

Spondee stressed stressedSpondee stressed stressed

Pyrrhic unstressed unstressedPyrrhic unstressed unstressed

Ready to read aloud?Ready to read aloud?

The best way to scan a poem (that is, The best way to scan a poem (that is, to mark its stressed and unstressed to mark its stressed and unstressed syllables) is to read it aloud. Here syllables) is to read it aloud. Here are some examples for you to read are some examples for you to read aloud. As you read them, mark the aloud. As you read them, mark the patterns on a piece of paper. patterns on a piece of paper.

Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

Mark the stressed syllables first and then Mark the stressed syllables first and then fill in the unstressed syllables.fill in the unstressed syllables.

BE LOUD! It helps if you bang on a desk or BE LOUD! It helps if you bang on a desk or table to emphasize the stressed syllables table to emphasize the stressed syllables of the word. That’s how we do this in my of the word. That’s how we do this in my face-to-face class.face-to-face class.

After you’ve marked the stressed and After you’ve marked the stressed and unstressed syllables, divide the lines into unstressed syllables, divide the lines into feet.feet.

Ready? Ready?

Example 1 Example 1

Clue: This is predominantly iambic.Clue: This is predominantly iambic.

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

The plowman homeward plods his weary way,The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

And leaves the world to darkness, and to me.And leaves the world to darkness, and to me. When you say this aloud, what syllables are When you say this aloud, what syllables are

stressed? Mark them with a “strong” mark stressed? Mark them with a “strong” mark above the syllable.above the syllable.

Sounding out the RhythmSounding out the Rhythm

The CURfew TOLLS the KNELL of The CURfew TOLLS the KNELL of PARTing DAY,PARTing DAY,

The LOWing HERD wind SLOWly O’ER The LOWing HERD wind SLOWly O’ER the LEA,the LEA,

The PLOWman HOMEward PLODS his The PLOWman HOMEward PLODS his WEARy WAY,WEARy WAY,

And LEAVES the WORLD to DARKness, And LEAVES the WORLD to DARKness, AND to ME.AND to ME.

ExplanationExplanation

This is iambic pentameter. This is iambic pentameter. Multisyllabic words are especially Multisyllabic words are especially

helpful; for example, you would say helpful; for example, you would say CURfew, not curFEW and PARTing, not CURfew, not curFEW and PARTing, not partING, so the accented syllables in partING, so the accented syllables in those words would help you to those words would help you to determine the pattern. determine the pattern.

The poem is Thomas Gray’s “Elegy The poem is Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.”Written in a Country Churchyard.”

Example 2Example 2

Tyger, tyger, burning brightTyger, tyger, burning bright

In the forest of the nightIn the forest of the night

What immortal hand or eyeWhat immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

--Say this quatrain (four lines of --Say this quatrain (four lines of poetry) aloud and mark the accented poetry) aloud and mark the accented syllables. Where are the strong syllables. Where are the strong syllables? syllables?

Sounding out the RhythmSounding out the Rhythm

TYger, TYger, BURNing BRIGHTTYger, TYger, BURNing BRIGHT

IN the FORest OF the NIGHTIN the FORest OF the NIGHT

WHAT imMORtal HAND or EYEWHAT imMORtal HAND or EYE

COULD FRAME thy FEARful SYMmetRY?COULD FRAME thy FEARful SYMmetRY?

ExplanationExplanation Note how the fourth line begins with a Note how the fourth line begins with a

spondee, or two-syllable foot in which both spondee, or two-syllable foot in which both syllables are accented.syllables are accented.

Also, there are four accented syllables but Also, there are four accented syllables but only three unaccented syllables. This is only three unaccented syllables. This is common, since it prevents the poems from common, since it prevents the poems from being too “sing-songy.” being too “sing-songy.”

The meter here would be trochaic The meter here would be trochaic tetrameter (four beats), even though the tetrameter (four beats), even though the unaccented syllables at the end are unaccented syllables at the end are missing. missing.

The poem is William Blake’s “The Tyger.”The poem is William Blake’s “The Tyger.”

Example 3Example 3 Dactylic Dactylic

This is the forest primeval. The This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,murmuring pines and the hemlocks,

Bearded with moss, and in garments Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,green, indistinct in the twilight,

Stand like Druids of eld, with voices Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic.sad and prophetic.

--Say the first line aloud and mark the --Say the first line aloud and mark the stressed syllables.stressed syllables.

ExplanationExplanation

This meter is common for classical This meter is common for classical epics, and Longfellow here is imitating epics, and Longfellow here is imitating epic meter: dactylic hexameter. epic meter: dactylic hexameter. However, it is a meter less commonly However, it is a meter less commonly used in English.used in English.

THIS is the FORest primEVal. The THIS is the FORest primEVal. The MURmuring PINES and the HEMlocks,MURmuring PINES and the HEMlocks,

The poem is Henry Wadsworth The poem is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Evangeline.” Longfellow’s “Evangeline.”

Example 4: AnapesticExample 4: Anapestic

'Twas the night before Christmas and all 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,care,

In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.there.

Say this aloud and mark the stressed Say this aloud and mark the stressed syllables. See how it “gallops”? syllables. See how it “gallops”?

Sounding out the RhythmSounding out the Rhythm

'Twas the NIGHT before CHRISTmas 'Twas the NIGHT before CHRISTmas and ALL through the HOUSE,and ALL through the HOUSE,

Not a CREAture was STIRring, not EVen Not a CREAture was STIRring, not EVen a MOUSE.a MOUSE.

The STOCKings were HUNG by the The STOCKings were HUNG by the CHIMney with CARE,CHIMney with CARE,

In HOPES that Saint NICholas SOON In HOPES that Saint NICholas SOON would be THEREwould be THERE

ExplanationExplanation

The rhythm sounds something like The rhythm sounds something like this: da da DUM da da DUM da da this: da da DUM da da DUM da da DUM da da DUM.DUM da da DUM.

See? Galloping meter.See? Galloping meter. This is anapestic tetrameter. This is anapestic tetrameter. The poem is Clement Clark Moore’s The poem is Clement Clark Moore’s

“A Visit from St. Nicholas.”“A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

Test-Yourself QuizTest-Yourself Quiz

Now that you’ve tried the examples Now that you’ve tried the examples here, try the test-yourself quiz on here, try the test-yourself quiz on prosody atprosody at

http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlihttp://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/quiz/prosquiz.htmt/quiz/prosquiz.htm

Note: This is NOT a graded quiz, and it is not in Angel. Anybody can Note: This is NOT a graded quiz, and it is not in Angel. Anybody can take it, and the results are available only to you.take it, and the results are available only to you.