What is meter in poetry?

Meter refers to the rhythmic structure of a verse, determined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each line. It is the basic building block of a poem’s rhythm and helps create a musical and organized flow in the writing.

Read also: What is a limerick in poetry

Types and examples of meter

Iambic meter is a poetic meter consisting of lines that contain iambs, which are metrical feet made up of two syllables each. In an iambic foot, the first syllable is unstressed, and the second syllable is stressed, creating the rhythmic pattern “da-DUM.” This makes iambic meter one of the most natural and common meters in English poetry, closely resembling the natural rhythm of spoken language.

Here’s an example of an iambic meter with each iamb marked (unstressed syllables in lowercase and stressed syllables in uppercase):

“to BE or NOT to BE, THAT is the QUESTion”

Each iambic foot in the line is as follows:

to BE | or NOT | to BE, | THAT is | the QUEST | ion

The line above is written in iambic pentameter, which means it contains five iambs per line, resulting in ten syllables in total. Iambic pentameter is widely used in various forms of poetry, including Shakespearean sonnets, blank verse, and many other poetic works.

The use of iambic meter provides a smooth and flowing rhythm to poetry, making it pleasant to the ear and easy to read or recite. It is also flexible, allowing poets to vary the meter or combine it with other metrical patterns to create diverse and engaging verses.

Trochaic Meter:

Trochaic meter is a poetic meter characterized by lines that consist of trochees, which are metrical feet composed of two syllables each. In a trochaic foot, the first syllable is stressed, and the second syllable is unstressed, creating the rhythmic pattern “DUM-da.” This pattern is the reverse of iambic meter and provides a distinct and energetic rhythm to the poetry.

Here’s an example of a line in trochaic meter with each trochee marked (stressed syllables in uppercase and unstressed syllables in lowercase):

“TELL me NOT in MOURNful NUMbers”

Each trochaic foot in the line is as follows:

TELL me | NOT in | MOURNful | NUMbers

Trochaic meter is less common than iambic meter in English poetry but is still used effectively to create a lively and forceful cadence. It is often employed to convey urgency, excitement, or a sense of forward movement.

Just like iambic meter, trochaic meter can also be combined with other metrical patterns or used in various line lengths to add variety and musicality to poems. However, in English poetry, trochaic meter is more commonly found in specific poetic forms, such as trochaic tetrameter or trochaic octameter, where each line contains four or eight trochees, respectively.

Anapestic Meter:

Anapestic meter is a poetic meter characterized by lines that consist of anapests, which are metrical feet composed of three syllables each. In an anapestic foot, the first two syllables are unstressed, and the third syllable is stressed, creating the rhythmic pattern “da-da-DUM.”

Here’s an example of a line in anapestic meter with each anapest marked (unstressed syllables in lowercase and stressed syllables in uppercase):

“‘Twas the NIGHT before CHRISTmas”

Each anapestic foot in the line is as follows:

‘Twas the | NIGHT be | fore CHRIST | mas

Anapestic meter is often used in light, humorous, or fast-paced poetry. The rolling and galloping rhythm of anapests can create a sense of movement and playfulness, making it suitable for lighthearted and whimsical verses.

Similar to iambic and trochaic meters, anapestic meter can be used in various line lengths and combined with other metrical patterns to add variety and emphasis to a poem. For example, anapestic tetrameter consists of four anapests in a line, while anapestic trimeter contains three anapests per line.

Anapestic meter is a common choice in children’s poetry, tongue twisters, and other playful forms of verse, where the lively and upbeat rhythm contributes to the overall enjoyment and memorability of the poem.

Dactylic Meter:

Dactylic meter is a poetic meter characterized by lines that consist of dactyls, which are metrical feet composed of three syllables each. In a dactylic foot, the first syllable is stressed, and the next two syllables are unstressed, creating the rhythmic pattern “DUM-da-da.”

Here’s an example of a line in dactylic meter with each dactyl marked (stressed syllables in uppercase and unstressed syllables in lowercase):

“THIS is the FORest PRImeval”

Each dactylic foot in the line is as follows:

THIS is | the FOR | est PRIm | eval

Dactylic meter is less common in English poetry compared to iambic and trochaic meters but is often used to create a lively and energetic rhythm. The strong stress at the beginning of each foot followed by the two softer syllables creates a rolling, galloping, or marching effect, depending on the context of the poem.

One of the most famous examples of dactylic meter is in the epic poem “Evangeline” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, where the meter reflects the movement and energy of the narrative:

“THIS is the FORest PRImeval, the MURmuring PINes and the HEMlocks”

Similarly to other metrical patterns, dactylic meter can be used in various line lengths and combined with other meters to add variety and texture to a poem. For instance, dactylic hexameter consists of six dactyls in a line, and it was used extensively in ancient Greek and Latin epic poetry.

Due to its buoyant and vigorous nature, dactylic meter is often employed in poems depicting action, excitement, or epic themes.

Spondaic Meter:

Spondaic meter is a poetic meter characterized by lines that consist predominantly of spondees, which are metrical feet composed of two stressed syllables. In a spondaic foot, both syllables carry equal stress, creating the rhythmic pattern “DUM-DUM.”

Here’s an example of a line in spondaic meter with each spondee marked (stressed syllables in uppercase):

“Dead MARCH in SONgful MEas ure”

Each spondaic foot in the line is as follows:

Dead MARCH | in SONg | ful MEas | ure

Spondaic meter is relatively rare in English poetry, as it can create a monotonous or heavy cadence due to the consistent stress on each foot. Instead of flowing naturally like iambic or trochaic meters, spondaic meter tends to slow down the pace of the poem, emphasizing each word or syllable equally.

Poets often use spondaic meter for specific effects, such as creating a solemn or somber atmosphere or emphasizing the gravity of certain words or ideas. It can be particularly useful for conveying a sense of weight, seriousness, or intensity in the poem.

While entire poems written exclusively in spondaic meter are uncommon, poets may include spondees strategically within a poem to add variation and contrast to the overall metrical structure. By interspersing spondees with other metrical feet like iambs or trochees, poets can create interesting rhythmic patterns and add emphasis to certain lines or phrases.

Pyrrhic Meter:

Pyrrhic meter is a poetic meter characterized by lines that consist predominantly of pyrrhics, which are metrical feet composed of two unstressed syllables. In a pyrrhic foot, both syllables carry equal lack of stress, creating the rhythmic pattern “da-da.”

Here’s an example of a line in pyrrhic meter with each pyrrhic marked (unstressed syllables in lowercase):

“to a GREen THOughT”

Each pyrrhic foot in the line is as follows:

to a | GREen | THOughT

Pyrrhic meter is relatively uncommon in English poetry and is used more sparingly compared to other metrical patterns like iambic, trochaic, anapestic, or dactylic meter. Its lack of stress on both syllables makes it less prominent and less frequently employed in traditional English verse.

Poets may use pyrrhic meter strategically to create a softer or more subdued rhythm within a poem. It can be used to convey a sense of gentleness, calmness, or introspection. By interspersing pyrrhics with other metrical feet, poets can add a sense of variety and nuance to the poem’s overall rhythmic structure.

Since pyrrhic meter lacks the strong stress found in other metrical patterns, it is often used to create contrast and highlight certain moments or ideas within the poem. However, it is essential to use pyrrhic meter judiciously, as an excessive use of unstressed feet can lead to a monotonous or uninteresting rhythm.

Amphibrachic Meter:

Amphibrachic meter is a poetic meter characterized by lines that consist predominantly of amphibrachs, which are metrical feet composed of three syllables each. In an amphibrachic foot, the first and third syllables are unstressed, while the second syllable is stressed, creating the rhythmic pattern “da-DUM-da.”

Here’s an example of a line in amphibrachic meter with each amphibrach marked (stressed syllables in uppercase and unstressed syllables in lowercase):

“to the BEACH we WILL go”

Each amphibrachic foot in the line is as follows:

to the | BEACH we | WILL go

Amphibrachic meter is relatively less common in English poetry compared to other metrical patterns like iambic, trochaic, anapestic, or dactylic meter. It has a lively and bouncy rhythm, and its use can evoke a sense of movement or playfulness in the verse.

Amphibrachic meter is often used in light or humorous poetry and can be employed to create a whimsical or upbeat atmosphere. Poets may use amphibrachs to introduce variation in the rhythm of their poems or to break the monotony of more regular metrical patterns.