Understanding meter is key to unlocking the rhythmic and musical qualities of poetry. It’s the underlying beat that propels the words forward, adding layers of meaning and emotion. This article will guide you through the process of identifying meter in poetry, providing practical steps and helpful examples.
Contents
What is Meter?
Meter is the patterned arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables within a line of poetry. This rhythmic pattern creates a predictable pulse, much like the beat in music. Identifying the meter allows you to appreciate the poet’s craft and understand how rhythm contributes to the overall effect of the poem.
Let’s consider the opening line of Megan Grumbling’s “Booker’s Point”:
Old Booker’s out there shirtless and knee-deep
The power of this line comes not only from its imagery but also from its underlying rhythmic structure. The stressed and unstressed syllables create a distinct pattern, adding emphasis and musicality. Marking the stressed syllables with bold underlines, the pattern emerges:
Old Booker’s out there shirtless and knee-deep
This alternating pattern of unstressed followed by stressed syllables is called an iamb. A single unit of this repeating pattern is called a foot. Since the line has five of these iambic feet, the meter is called iambic pentameter (“penta” meaning five).
Types of Metrical Feet
While iambic pentameter is the most common meter in English poetry, several other types of metrical feet exist:
- Iamb: unstressed – stressed (e.g., a-bove)
- Trochee: stressed – unstressed (e.g., gar-den)
- Anapest: unstressed – unstressed – stressed (e.g., in-ter-vene)
- Dactyl: stressed – unstressed – unstressed (e.g., mur-mur-ing)
Knowing these different types of feet will help you identify the meter in a variety of poems.
Identifying Meter: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s apply these concepts to a line from Seamus Heaney’s “When all the others were away at Mass”:
Like solder weeping off the soldering iron
Step 1: Identify Strong Stresses
Start by identifying the naturally stressed syllables in the line. In this case, “sold” and “weep” stand out:
Like solder weeping off the soldering iron
Step 2: Analyze Multi-Syllable Words
Next, consider the stressed syllables in multi-syllable words. “Soldering” has its stress on the first syllable (“sold”).
Like solder weeping off the soldering iron
Step 3: Look for Patterns and Add Extra Stresses
Now, look for emerging patterns. The first four syllables suggest an iambic pattern:
Like sold-er weep-ing
Following this pattern, “off” and the first syllable of “soldering” receive stress:
Like sold-er weep-ing off the sold-ering iron
Step 4: Account for Poetic License
Poets often take liberties with pronunciation to maintain meter. Heaney treats “ering” as one syllable and “iron” as one, allowing the iambic pattern to continue:
Like sold-er weep-ing off the sold(er)ing irn
This demonstrates iambic pentameter, albeit with subtle manipulations to maintain a natural flow.
Additional Tips for Identifying Meter
- Context is Key: Consider the overall rhythm of the poem. A single line might not perfectly adhere to a meter, but the general pattern should be discernible.
- Variations Exist: Poets use variations in meter to create specific effects. Don’t expect rigid adherence to a single pattern throughout an entire poem.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more poetry you read and analyze, the easier it will become to identify meter.
By understanding the different types of meter and applying the steps outlined above, you can deepen your appreciation for the artistry of poetry. So, grab your favorite poetry collection and start exploring the rhythmic landscapes within.