Etymology of Pentameter
The word “pentameter” comes from the Greek word, pentametros, which means “having five measures.” Penta means “five,” and metros means “measure.” The term was first used about the meter used in ancient Greek and Latin poetry, which consisted of five feet or units of measure.
Meanings of Pentameter
- Poetic Meter: Pentameter is a term used in poetry to describe a specific metrical pattern or rhythm in verse.
- Five Feet: The “penta-” prefix means “five,” indicating that pentameter consists of five metrical feet in each line of poetry.
- Metrical Foot: Each metrical foot within pentameter typically comprises one stressed syllable followed by one or more unstressed syllables.
- Rhythmic Structure: Pentameter defines the rhythmic structure of a line of poetry, specifying the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables.
- Common in Verse: It is a common metrical pattern used in various forms of poetry, including Shakespearean sonnets and blank verse.
- Versatile: Pentameter can be adapted to different languages and poetic styles, making it a versatile choice for poets.
Pentameter in Grammar
- Grammatical Classification: Pentameter is a noun in the realm of grammar, serving as a particular type of word.
- Definition in Poetry: In the context of poetry, it refers to a specific type of meter used in verse.
- Five Metrical Feet: Pentameter consists of five metrical feet or units within a line of poetry.
- Adjective Usage: The term can also function as an adjective to describe a line of poetry that utilizes this specific meter.
- Examples: Common examples include “iambic pentameter” and “trochaic pentameter,” where “pentameter” functions both as a noun, referring to the meter type, and as an adjective, modifying the type of meter employed in the poetry line.
Definition of Pentameter
As a poetic device, it constitutes a metrical framework used in poetry. It constructs lines with five metrical feet, each typically consisting of a stressed syllable followed by one or more unstressed syllables. This device actively serves to structure and regulate the rhythm of a poem, enabling poets to actively shape the flow, cadence, and emphasis of their verses, thus playing an active role in crafting the overall poetic experience.
Types of Pentameter
There are several types, including as follows:
| Type | Definition and Explanation | Example |
| Iambic | The most common form in English poetry, with each metrical foot comprising an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. | Used extensively in Shakespeare’s plays. |
| Trochaic | Features metrical feet consisting of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable. Less common in English poetry. | Found in Longfellow’s “The Song of Hiawatha.” |
| Dactylic | In each metrical foot, a stressed syllable is followed by two unstressed syllables. More common in Greek and Latin poetry. | Occurs occasionally in English poetry. |
| Anapestic | Metrical feet consist of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable. Relatively rare in English poetry. | Seen in Byron’s “Don Juan.” |
| Spondaic | Each metrical foot contains two stressed syllables. Extremely rare in English poetry, used for emphasis or specific effects. | Limited use for emphasis or unique effects. |
Literary Examples of Pentameter
| Example | Reference | Explanation |
| “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” | William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18 | This line is an example of iambic pentameter, characterized by five iambs, each consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Iambic pentameter creates a rhythmic and emotionally expressive pattern. |
| “Double, double, toil and trouble” | William Shakespeare, Macbeth | This line is an example of trochaic, featuring five trochees, with each trochee consisting of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable. Trochaic pentameter creates an irregular, unsettling rhythm, ideal for conveying unease or tension. |
| “This is the forest primeval, the murmuring pines and the hemlocks” | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Evangeline” | This line exemplifies dactylic, composed of five dactyls, where each dactyl contains a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables. Dactylic pentameter imparts a flowing, melodious rhythm, suitable for evoking beauty or tranquility. |
| “But a raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only” | Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven” | Anapestic pentameter is showcased in this line, with five anapests, each comprising two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable. Anapestic pentameter generates a lively and energetic rhythm, conveying excitement or urgency. |
| “Break, break, break, On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!” | Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Break, Break, Break” | Spondaic pentameter is demonstrated here, containing five spondees, each consisting of two stressed syllables. Spondaic pentameter creates a heavy and emphatic rhythm, emphasizing weight or importance. |
| “To be or not to be, that is the question” | William Shakespeare, Hamlet | This line represents blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter. Blank verse is commonly used in Shakespeare’s plays and other dramatic works, offering a natural and conversational style of speech while maintaining a regular and easily followed meter. |
Suggested Readings
- Abrams, M. H. The Norton Anthology of Poetry. Edited by Margaret Ferguson et al., 6th ed., W.W. Norton, 2018.
- Berg, Charles. Meter and Meaning: An Introduction to Rhythm in Poetry. Routledge, 1992.
- Fussell, Paul. Poetic Meter and Poetic Form. McGraw-Hill, 1965.
- Hollander, John. Rhyme’s Reason: A Guide to English Verse. Yale University Press, 1981.
- Lennard, John. The Poetry Handbook: A Guide to Reading Poetry for Pleasure and Practical Criticism. Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Preminger, Alex, and T.V.F. Brogan, editors. The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 1993.
- Shoptaw, John. On the Outside Looking Out: John Ashbery’s Poetry. Harvard University Press, 1994.
- Turco, Lewis. The Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics. University Press of New England, 2012.
- Vendler, Helen. Poems, Poets, Poetry: An Introduction and Anthology. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2002.