Metrical Foot

Introduction

A metrical foot is a fundamental unit of measurement in poetry and prosody that consists of a combination of stressed and unstressed syllables. It serves as the building block for meter, providing the rhythm and structure to a poetic line. Understanding metrical feet is essential for both the analysis and creation of poetry, as it shapes the poem's auditory experience.

Definition

In the context of poetry, a metrical foot is defined as a specific sequence of syllables that adheres to a particular pattern of stress. The arrangement of stressed (/) and unstressed (x) syllables within a metrical foot determines its name and classification. Metrical feet are typically categorized based on the number of syllables they contain and the pattern of stress.1

Types of Metrical Feet

Metrical feet can be classified into several categories, each defined by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables:

1.    Iamb (x /): An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (e.g., "be-FORE").

2.    Trochee (/ x): A stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (e.g., "TA-ble").

3.    Anapest (x x /): Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable (e.g., "in-ter-VENE").

4.    Dactyl (/ x x): A stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables (e.g., "EL-e-phant").

5.    Spondee (/ /): Two stressed syllables (e.g., "DEAD END").

6.    Pyrrhic (x x): Two unstressed syllables, although this foot is rare and often debated among scholars.2

Examples

Metrical feet are used in various forms of poetry, from sonnets to free verse. Here are examples of each type:

·      Iambic: The opening line of William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?") features iambic pentameter.1

·      Trochaic: The line "Tyger Tyger, burning bright" from William Blake's The Tyger demonstrates trochaic meter.2

·      Anapestic: The line "And the sound of a voice that is still" from Alfred Lord Tennyson's The Charge of the Light Brigade showcases anapestic meter.1

·      Dactylic: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Evangeline opens with a dactylic line: "This is the forest primeval."3

·      Spondaic: In Gerard Manley Hopkins' "The Windhover," the line "I caught this morning morning's minion" includes a spondaic foot.2

·      Pyrrhic: Pyrrhic feet are rarely used and often occur within larger metrical patterns, creating a subtle shift in rhythm.4

Usage in Poetry

Metrical feet are integral to the structure of poetry, influencing both its rhythmic quality and its emotional impact. Poets often employ varying combinations of metrical feet to create different effects, ranging from the steady cadence of iambic pentameter to the more dynamic shifts found in free verse. Metrical variation can enhance the meaning of the text, contributing to the overall aesthetic experience of the poem.4

Conclusion

Understanding metrical feet is crucial for both the analysis and creation of poetry. By manipulating different types of feet, poets can craft works that resonate rhythmically and thematically with their audience, enriching the poetic tradition.

References

1.    Holcombe, William. The Poet's Handbook: A Guide to Crafting Poetry. New York: Penguin Books, 2017.

2.    Hirsch, Edward. A Poet's Glossary. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.

3.    Abse, Dannie. The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.

4.    McKellar, Kate. "The Basics of Meter and Rhyme." Poetry Foundation, 15 June 2020. Poetry Foundation.

Petr Nohel