Meter: What is meter? I believe it is a method of measuring the rhythm/ beat of each line. Because our language has many variations in spelling, pronunciation, and content there are several types of meter. Iambic, trochaic, dactaylic and so on. For the purposes of this column I shall not dwell on names.
Words are a combination of syllables, or just one.
Bat = one syllable
Believe = two syllables - be + lieve
Conversely = three syllables - con + verse + ly
Situation = four syllables sit + u + a + tion
When using meter to measure the rhythm of a line the stress placed on any one syllable becomes important:
" I saw a lov- ely lad- y pass- ing by
/ x / x / x / x / x x = stressed / = unstressed
To maintain a good rhythm or beat throughout a poem the same syllable structure is needed on every line.[ With some forms of poetry set numbers of syllables per line are a requirement.I won't go into that here.]
By using x and / as syllable markers many variations are possible including the number of syllables in lines.
Examples ; x / x / x / x / 8 syllables in line 1
x / x / x / 6 ' " " 2
x / x / x / x / 8 ' " " 3
Any variations are permissable but to maintain the rhythm and beat, the pattern should be consistent: eg Verse 1 8-6-8-6 verse 2 8-6-8-6 and so on
Verse 1 10 - 8 - 6 - 6 verse 2 10 - 8 - 6 - 6
Further variations apply when you choose your own meter: combinations of stressed and unstressed syllables: x - x - / - / - x - x
/- x - / - x - / -x
/ - / - x - / - x - x
Any variants are OK, just keep a similar pattern in each line, regardless of how many syllables there are. The following verse is from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Early Spring " exactly as he wrote it:
Once more the Heavenly Power
Makes all things new,
And domes the red-plow'd hills
With loving blue;
The blackbirds have their wills,
The throstles too.
Read this out loud first and hear how easily and fluently it flows. Then count the syllables.
6 syllables in lines 1-3-5 and 4 syllables in 2-4-6. Is that what you found?
No way - there are 8 syllables in line one. Now I shall change the syllable count a little and you read this piece aloud and again - hear the difference.
Once more Heavens Power
Makes all things anew
And colors the reddish hills
With loving blue;
The blackbirds have their wills,
The throstles too.
Note the variations and how much change they bring about. The rhythm of the whole poem is spoiled by the changes I have made. Although the original has a variant in the syllable count the rhythm is perfect.
This is an example of keeping the flow and beat of the poem true to speech rather than keeping the syllable count 100% accurate. You are the author, you, like Tennyson, have the freedom to write your own poem.
If your poem reads well, then the syllable count per line is not a problem, If there is a stutter anywhere knowing about syllable counts will help find it and correct it.
Again with long narrative poetry it is more important that the rhythm is maintained throughout the poem. for example read part of "the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner"
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/474-Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge-The-Rime-Of-The-Ancient-Mariner
I could not ask you to read all the poem as there are 901 lines in it.
In a list
Any Comments?
Comments
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Bob, a helpful, clear and concise piece of advice re meter in rhyme. Also helpful that you add a link so that after explaining the process anyone interested may go and get there teeth into a lengthy example to enjoy, experience and learn from. I read a lot of informative columns on ap and appreciate the effort of poets like yourself who do that.
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This was not an easy task but It came out OK. Many do not understand the technical aspects of meter or it's value. Although there courses available on AP most are not for the very beginners. I hope this is understood by the very beginners as was intended.
Many thanks for your very supportive comments, I appreciate them.
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Another good segment for your lesson plan. I'm impressed with your no-nonsense approach and ease of explanation. Well done.
I love the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, too. -
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All 5 segments are very basic for beginners. Further studies should be done with someone more skilled than I. This series is just a start. AP Scool of Poetry would have everything neccessary for serious students. Many thanks, Mercedes for you input and comments, much appreciated.
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Great lesson. Have you ever read any of G.M Hopkins' theories on Sprung Rhythm? The more I study Hopkins the more I tend to agree with him. The trouble is I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing lol!
P.S. I love the 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner', it has to be one of my all time favourite poems. I think after my dinner I will read it again now.
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No, sir poet, I have not read G.M.Hopkins theories on sprung rhythm but I will most certainly do that. I am always curious as to the why each of the old time poets wrote the way they did. We have the advantage [ ? ] of text books and written rules while they simply wrote as a means of communication. They made the rules. I have read the Ancient Mariner many times over the years and still enjoy it.
I still think that poetry is a means of communication and the educators of our time should treat the teaching of poetry as such.
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Wonderful Bob... explains meter in an uncluttered, simple way... proves we are all students and teachers at the same time...
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There is a lot more to learn than what I have written here, but this is only a starter. AP has a school of poetry where anyone can go and do lessons. By posting like this I hope to take away the formality of learning. Hopefully anyone can understand it.
Yes Rob, I agree, we ARE all teachers and students at the same time.
Many thanks again, mate.
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