Metre in poetry

 

Metre refers to the number of feet in a line of poetry. Foot consists of a combination of stressed and unstressed syllables. If a line consists of just one foot, then it is known as monometre. Similarly two feet lines are dimetre, three feet lines are trimetre, four feet lines are tetrametre and five feet lines are pentameter. Instead of the word feet, beats can also be used.

Metrical Forms:

Iamb  and Trochee

An iamb is a feet in which an unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed syllable. Five iambs are present in an iambic pentametre. The iambic pentametre is a common metre in English.

Examples:

1

Shall I   | compARE |  thee TO  |  a SUM  | mers DAY?

2

If win|ter comes| can spring| be far| behind?

3

I wan|dered lone|ly as| a cloud

4

“If music be the food of love, play on

This is a regular rhythm in English used especially to express a cheerful or lighter thought.

 

When a stressed syllable is followed by an unstressed syllable in a feet, it is known as Trochee.

1

Tyger Tyger burning bright

in the forest of the night

2

In the deserts of the heart
Let the healing fountain start

3

All my thoughts are slow and brown

 

The metrical form trochee is used to convey is often used to convey a darker or heavier mood.