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Meter Definition | What is Meter? - PoetrySoup

Definition

A meter in poetry, consisting of lines with five feet (hence "pentameter") in which the iamb is the dominant foot (hence "Iambic"). Iambic rhythms are quite easy to write in English and iambic pentameter is among the most common metrical forms in English poetry. Like the rest of the meters it has its origins in Greek poetry.

Example

da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM (weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG) Was-THIS the-FACE that-LAUNCH'D a-THOU sand-SHIPS

Here is an example from William Shakespeare's Sonnet XVIII:

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

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Definition

A rictameter is a nine line poetry form. The 1st and last lines are the same with the syllable count as follows: • line 1 - 2 syllables - same as line 9 • line 2 - 4 syllables • line 3 - 6 syllables • line 4 - 8 syllables • line 5 - 10 syllables • line 6 - 8 syllables • line 7 - 6 syllables • line 8 - 4 syllables • line 9 - 2 syllables - same as line 1

Example

England's Ascot, Yorshire five day event in June Queen Elizabeth led the way in fashion and style on Ladies Parade. The first time for 300 years this racing event was held at Yorkshire England.

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