Shakespeare's meter — unstressed then stressed, 5 times per line
An iamb = one unstressed + one stressed syllable (da-DUM). Pentameter = 5 feet per line. So iambic pentameter = 10 syllables per line, alternating unstressed/stressed. "Shall I comPARE thee TO a SUMmer's DAY?"
Iamb
da-DUM — one unstressed + one stressed syllable
Pentameter
5 feet (iambs) per line = 10 syllables
Trochee
DUM-da — stressed then unstressed (opposite of iamb)
Anapest
da-da-DUM — two unstressed then one stressed
Dactyl
DUM-da-da — one stressed then two unstressed
📖 Poetry
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG = Shakespearean Sonnet
Sonnet Rhyme Scheme
The Shakespearean sonnet — 14 lines, this rhyme scheme, always
3 quatrains (4-line stanzas) + 1 couplet (2 lines). Volta (turn in argument) usually comes at the final couplet. Petrarchan sonnet: ABBAABBA / CDECDE — turn at line 9.
End-stopped: sentence ends with the line. Enjambment: sentence continues to next line without pause. Poets use enjambment to control pacing, create surprise, or mimic natural speech.
📖 Poetry
Haiku: 5 / 7 / 5 syllables
Haiku Structure
Haiku — three lines, seventeen syllables, nature focus
Line 1: 5 syllables. Line 2: 7 syllables. Line 3: 5 syllables. Traditional haiku contains a kigo (seasonal reference) and a kireji (cutting word). Modern haiku relaxes these rules.
📖 Poetry
Anaphora = repeated phrase at the START of lines
Anaphora
Anaphora — repetition that creates rhythm and emphasis
Anaphora repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses. MLK's "I have a dream" is the most famous example. Creates rhythm, emphasis, and emotional impact.
Poetic Meter
Meter: pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Foot = one unit. Iamb = da-DUM. Trochee = DUM-da.
Poetic Meter
The rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables
Common feet: Iamb (da-DUM): 'to BE or NOT to BE' — most common in English. Trochee (DUM-da): 'TI-ger, TI-ger.' Anapest (da-da-DUM): 'Twas the NIGHT be-fore CHRIST-mas.' Dactyl (DUM-da-da): 'HIGHway.' Meter name = foot type + number (pentameter = 5 feet).
Rhyme Scheme
Rhyme scheme: label end rhymes with letters. ABAB = alternating. AABB = couplets. ABCABC = enclosed.
Rhyme Scheme
How to identify and label the pattern of end rhymes
Label the first end sound A, the next new sound B, etc. ABAB CDCD EFEF GG = Shakespearean sonnet. ABBAABBA CDECDE = Petrarchan sonnet. AABB = heroic couplets (Pope, Dryden). Blank verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter (Shakespeare's plays mostly). Free verse: no regular rhyme or meter.
The Volta
Volta: the 'turn' in a sonnet where the argument shifts or develops. Usually at line 9 in Petrarchan sonnet.
The Volta
The pivot point that gives sonnets their argumentative power
Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet: octave (8 lines) establishes a problem or situation. Volta at line 9. Sestet (6 lines) resolves or complicates. Shakespearean sonnet: three quatrains develop the argument, couplet at lines 13-14 provides the volta and resolution. Always look for where the poem 'turns.'
Caesura
Caesura: a pause within a line, often marked by punctuation. Creates emphasis and rhythm variation.
Caesura
An internal pause that controls rhythm and creates emphasis
From Latin for 'cutting.' 'To err is human; // to forgive, divine.' The double slash marks the caesura. Creates a beat, emphasizes what comes after the pause, and varies the rhythm. Anglo-Saxon poetry (Beowulf) used a strong caesura in every line. Used to slow a reader down at a key moment.
Extended Metaphor
Extended metaphor: a comparison developed across multiple lines or the entire poem
Extended Metaphor
A metaphor sustained throughout a passage or entire poem
Unlike a simple metaphor (one line), an extended metaphor develops across the poem. Donne's 'The Flea': the flea becomes an extended metaphor for sexual union and marriage throughout the poem. Identifies the metaphor early, then analyze every way it's developed and what aspects of each side are compared.
Identifying Poetic Tone
Tone in poetry: determined by diction, imagery, syntax, and sound. Read the poem aloud to feel tone.
Identifying Poetic Tone
How to determine and describe the speaker's attitude
Ask: how does the speaker feel about the subject? Clues: word choice (formal/informal, positive/negative connotations), imagery (violent/peaceful), syntax (short clipped sentences vs flowing), sound (harsh consonants vs soft). Tone words: elegiac, sardonic, reverent, wistful, indignant, celebratory.
Speaker vs Poet
Speaker ≠ poet. The speaker is a persona the poet creates. Never assume the 'I' is the author.
Speaker vs Poet
A critical distinction in poetry analysis
The speaker is a fictional voice, like a character in fiction. Browning's 'My Last Duchess': the speaker is a Renaissance duke, not Browning. Even in confessional poetry (Plath, Lowell), the 'I' is a constructed persona. On exams: write 'the speaker' not 'the poet' unless you can prove it's autobiographical.