Rhythm and Meter

What are they? Rhythm refers to any wavelike recurrence of motion or sound. Rhythm refers to any wavelike recurrence of motion or sound. Meter is the kind of rhythm we can tap our foot to. Meter is the kind of rhythm we can tap our foot to. Metrical language  verse Metrical language  verse Nonmetrical language  prose Nonmetrical language  prose To meter  to measure To meter  to measure For measuring verse we use the foot, the line, and the stanza. For measuring verse we use the foot, the line, and the stanza.

What is the foot? The basic metrical unit consists normally of one accented syllable plus one or two unaccented syllables, though occasionally there may be no unaccented syllables, and very rarely there may be three. The basic metrical unit consists normally of one accented syllable plus one or two unaccented syllables, though occasionally there may be no unaccented syllables, and very rarely there may be three. A vertical bar will indicate the division between feet. A vertical bar will indicate the division between feet.

The basic kinds of meter Examples Name of foot Name of meter In-ter, the sun IambIambicDuple En-ter, went to TrocheetrochaicMeter In-ter-vene In a hut AnapestAnapesticTriple En-ter-prise Co-lor of DactylDactylicMeter True-bluespondeespondaic truth Monosyllabic foot

The Line Monometer  one foot Monometer  one foot Dimeter  two feet Dimeter  two feet Trimeter  three feet Trimeter  three feet Tetrameter  four feet Tetrameter  four feet Pentameter  five feet Pentameter  five feet Hexameter  six feet Hexameter  six feet Heptameter  seven feet Heptameter  seven feet Octameter  Eight feet Octameter  Eight feet

The process of measuring verse  scansion We identify the prevailing foot We identify the prevailing foot We number the number of feet in a line We number the number of feet in a line We describe the stanza pattern We describe the stanza pattern

The uses of rhythm and meter Rhythm works as an emotional stimulus and serves, when used well. Rhythm works as an emotional stimulus and serves, when used well. To heighten out attention to and awareness of what is going on in a poem. To heighten out attention to and awareness of what is going on in a poem. The poet can adapt the sound of verse to its content and thus make meter a powerful reinforcement of meaning. The poet can adapt the sound of verse to its content and thus make meter a powerful reinforcement of meaning.

A Today’s group work Read if everything happens that can’t be done. Read if everything happens that can’t be done. Scan the poem for its foot. Scan the poem for its foot. Scan the poem for its line Scan the poem for its line Explain the emotion and the poet’s reinforcement of meaning of the poem. Explain the emotion and the poet’s reinforcement of meaning of the poem.