Creative Writing | Lesson 2.1 | Foot, Rhythm and Meter | Ma'am Nich | w/ Audio

Summary

This educational video script offers an in-depth exploration of poetry's foundational elements: stress, meter, and rhythm. It explains stress as the emphasis on certain syllables within words, crucial for understanding poetry's flow. The script delves into meter, measured by the number of feet in a poetic line, and identifies various types of feet, such as trochaic, spondaic, anapestic, dactylic, and iambic, each with distinct patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables. The iambic pentameter is highlighted as a prevalent rhythmic pattern, often used by Shakespeare. The lecture aims to equip students with the tools to identify and appreciate the rhythmic structures in poetry.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Stress in language refers to the emphasis given to certain syllables in words, phrases, or sentences, and is crucial for understanding poetry.
• 📚 A stressed syllable is pronounced with more force or emphasis, and it's often the second syllable in a multi-syllable word like 'philosophy'.
• 🔢 Words with a single syllable do not have an identified stress, as the emphasis varies with usage in phrases or sentences.
• 📏 Meter in poetry is the measurement of stressed and unstressed syllables and is a fundamental aspect of poetic structure.
• 👣 A 'foot' is a unit of meter, and different types of feet are defined by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables.
• 🌟 Rhythm in poetry is determined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables and is created by combining meter and foot.
• 🔢 The number of feet in a poetic line defines the meter type, such as monometer, dimeter, trimeter, tetrameter, pentameter, hexameter, etc.
• 👣 There are six types of feet: trochee, anapest, dactyl, spondee, amphibrach, and iamb, each with a distinct pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
• 🎶 Trochaic pentameter and anapestic tetrameter are examples of rhythmic patterns created by repeating a specific type of foot throughout a line.
• 🌐 The iambic foot is the most common in English poetry, with the iambic pentameter being a prevalent rhythmic pattern, especially in Shakespeare's works.

Q & A

What is the definition of stress in the context of language as mentioned in the script?

In the context of language, stress refers to the emphasis given to certain syllables in a word or through certain words in a phrase or sentence.

How do you identify the stressed syllable in a word with two or more syllables?

The stressed syllable in a word with two or more syllables is the one that is pronounced stronger than the others.

What is the term for a word with only one syllable in terms of stress?

A word with only one syllable has no identified stress because the emphasis varies on how it is used in a phrase or sentence.

Define 'meter' as it is used in poetry.

Meter in poetry refers to the measurement of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse.

What is a 'foot' in poetic terms?

A foot is one unit of meter, which is a group of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.

How is 'rhythm' determined in a line of poetry?

Rhythm in a line of poetry is determined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, which is created by combining meter and foot.

What is the term for a poetic line with only one foot?

A poetic line with only one foot is called a monometer.

How many types of feet are mentioned in the script, and what are they?

There are six types of feet mentioned in the script: trochaic, spondee, anapest, dactyl, amphibrach, and iamb.

What is a trochaic foot and how is it represented in a line of poetry?

A trochaic foot is composed of two syllables, the first one stressed and the second one unstressed. In a line of poetry, it is represented by a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, and if a line is composed of five trochaic feet, it is called a trochaic pentameter.

What is an iambic foot and why is it significant in English poetry?

An iambic foot consists of two syllables, the first unstressed and the second stressed. It is significant in English poetry because it is the most common foot, and iambic pentameter is the most common rhythmic pattern used, especially by Shakespeare in his works.

How does the script explain the variation in the number of syllables in a foot within a line of poetry?

The script explains that variations in the number of syllables within a foot are normal in many poems, and even if a line does not consistently follow a single foot pattern, it can still be classified based on the dominant foot.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Stress, Meter, and Rhythm in Poetry

This paragraph introduces the concepts of stress, meter, and rhythm in poetry. Stress is defined as the emphasis given to certain syllables in words or phrases, which is different from the common understanding of stress as a feeling of exhaustion. The lecturer explains how to identify stressed syllables in words with two or more syllables, using 'philosophy' and 'medicine' as examples. The paragraph also sets the stage for discussing how these elements are interconnected in poetry, with meter being the measurement of stressed and unstressed syllables, a foot being a unit of meter, and rhythm being the pattern of these syllables in a line of poetry. Different types of meters like monometer, dimeter, trimeter, tetrameter, pentameter, hexameter, etc., are introduced based on the number of feet in a line. The paragraph concludes with an introduction to the types of feet and the symbols used to identify stressed and unstressed syllables.

05:02

🎶 Understanding Trochaic and Spondee Feet

The second paragraph delves into the specific types of feet in poetry, starting with the trochaic foot, which consists of two syllables with the first being stressed and the second unstressed. Examples such as 'never never' are used to illustrate trochaic feet, and the concept of trochaic pentameter is explained with a longer poetic line. The paragraph then moves on to discuss the spondee foot, which also has two syllables but both are stressed. Spondees are highlighted as not typically appearing as a dominant foot but rather in isolation, with examples from various poetic lines. The emphasis function of the spondee foot is also mentioned, showing how it can give emphasis to certain ideas within a poem.

10:04

📖 Exploring Anapestic, Dactylic, and Iambic Feet

The third paragraph continues the exploration of poetic feet with the anapestic foot, which is composed of three syllables with the first two unstressed and the last stressed. The paragraph provides examples of anapestic tetrameter and discusses the consistency of rhythm it creates. It then moves on to the dactylic foot, which also has three syllables but with the stress pattern of stress, stress, and unstressed. Examples of dactylic hexameter and tetrameter are given, highlighting the prominence of the stressed syllables. The paragraph concludes with a discussion of the iambic foot, the most common foot in English poetry, consisting of two syllables with the first unstressed and the second stressed. Variations of iambic pentameter are explored, including the use of reversed feet and the presence of extra unstressed syllables at the end of a line. The paragraph emphasizes the dominance of iambic feet in many poems, particularly in the works of Shakespeare.

Keywords

💡Stress

In the context of the video, 'stress' refers to the emphasis given to certain syllables in a word or within a phrase or sentence. It is a crucial aspect of poetry as it affects the rhythm and meter of a poem. The script explains that in language, unlike the common understanding of stress as a feeling of exhaustion, it is about the pronunciation strength of syllables. An example from the script is the word 'philosophy' where the second syllable is stressed.

💡Meter

Meter in poetry is the structured pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that dictates the rhythm of a verse. The video script defines meter as the measurement of these syllables and explains that it is determined by the number of feet in a poetic line, such as monometer, dimeter, trimeter, tetrameter, pentameter, hexameter, and so on. Meter is integral to understanding the rhythmic structure of poetry.

💡Foot

A 'foot' is a unit of meter in poetry, consisting of a specific arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables. The script outlines six types of feet: trochee, anapest, dactyl, spondee, pyrrhic, and iamb. Each foot contributes to the overall rhythm and meter of a poem, with the iamb being the most common. The video uses the example of 'never never' to illustrate a trochaic foot, where the first syllable is stressed and the second is unstressed.

💡Rhythm

Rhythm in poetry is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that creates a particular flow or beat when the poem is read aloud. The video script describes rhythm as being determined by the combination of meter and foot, and it is what gives poetry its musical quality. An example from the script is the line 'in the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,' which has a trochee foot, contributing to its rhythmic pattern.

💡Trochaic

A 'trochaic' foot is a specific type of foot in poetry where the first syllable is stressed and the second is unstressed. The script uses the word 'never' as an example of a trochaic foot. This foot type is significant as it can dominate the rhythm of a line, as seen in the example of 'trochaic pentameter,' where five trochaic feet are used.

💡Spondee

A 'spondee' is a foot consisting of two stressed syllables. Unlike trochees, spondees do not typically dominate a line of poetry but rather appear in isolation to emphasize certain words or ideas. The script points out spondees in the lines 'all whom war death age' and 'you whose eyes shall behold god,' where they serve to give emphasis.

💡Anapest

An 'anapest' is a foot made up of three syllables, with the first two unstressed and the last one stressed. The video script provides the line 'it was many and many a year ago' as an example, where the first three feet are anapests, making the line an 'anapestic tetrameter.' Anapests contribute to a chant-like rhythm in poetry.

💡Dactyl

A 'dactyl' is a foot that consists of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables. The script uses the line 'this is the forest primoval' to illustrate a dactylic hexameter, where each of the six feet is a dactyl. This foot type helps create a specific rhythmic pattern in the poem.

💡Pyrrhic

A 'pyrrhic' foot is composed of two unstressed syllables. The script mentions that, similar to spondees, pyrrhic feet do not appear as dominant feet but rather in isolation. An example provided is 'at the round earth's imagined corners,' where the first foot is pyrrhic, contributing to the poem's rhythm.

💡Iamb

An 'iamb' is a foot with one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one. The script emphasizes that the iamb is the most common foot in English poetry, with 'iambic pentameter' being a prevalent rhythmic pattern, especially in Shakespeare's works. The video uses lines like 'to be or not to be that is the question' to demonstrate the iambic foot and its variations.

Highlights

Stress in language is the emphasis given to certain syllables in a word or phrase.

A stressed syllable is pronounced stronger than the others in a word.

The word 'philosophy' has stress on the second syllable.

The word 'medicine' has stress on the first syllable.

The word 'metamorphosis' has stress on the third syllable.

A single-syllable word has no identified stress.

Meter is the measurement of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry.

A foot is one unit of meter in poetry.

Rhythm is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poetic line.

The number of feet in a line determines the meter, such as monometer, dimeter, trimeter, etc.

There are six types of feet: trochee, anapest, dactyl, spondee, pyrrhic, and iamb.

A trochee is a foot with one stressed and one unstressed syllable.

An iambic pentameter is a line with five iambic feet, commonly used in Shakespeare's poems.

A spondee is a foot with two stressed syllables and is often used for emphasis.

An anapest is a foot with two unstressed and one stressed syllable.

A dactyl is a foot with one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.

A pyrrhic foot is composed of two unstressed syllables and is rare in poetry.

Variations in foot types within a line are normal and do not change the overall rhythm.

The dominant foot type in a line determines the rhythmic pattern.

Shakespeare often uses variations such as a reversed foot in iambic pentameter.

Transcripts

[Music]

so

hi students welcome back as part of our

lesson in poetry

i will now be explaining to you foot

meter and rhythm

before i proceed with the lecture let me

start with this

how do you define stress

stress often refers to our feeling of

exhaustion

when we engage in things which are

beyond what we can handle

but in language stress is the emphasis

that may be given to certain syllables

in a word

or through certain words in a phrase or

sentence

how do you identify the stressed

syllable in a word

if a word has two or more syllables you

don't pronounce

all of them the same way there is always

one stressed syllable for example the

word philosophy

has four syllables

which do you think is distressed one

for us to be able to identify which

syllable is stressed

all we have to do is to pronounce

correctly

and tell which one is pronounced

stronger

philosophy philosophy

the stressed syllable is the second one

easy right how about this word

medicine it has three syllables

the stress syllable is the first one

how about this word metamorphosis

it has five syllables

this which is the stressed syllable

metamorphosis metamorphosis

it is the third one

right now what if a word

has only one syllable remember that a

word with only one syllable has no

identified stress

because the emphasis varies on how it is

used in a phrase or sentence

so how does stress relate to these

concepts

foot mirror and rhythm are discussed

side by side

because one cannot exist without the

others

let us start by defining each terms

meter is the measurement of stressed and

unstressed syllables

in poetic length while

foot is one unit of meter

and when we combine these two to

determine the pattern

of stressed and unstressed syllables in

a line

we are referring to rhythm

meter is determined by the number of

foot in a poetic line

if there is only one foot it's called a

manometer

two feet is dimeter three is

trimmer four feet is the trameter

five is pentameter six is hexameter

and so on the types of foot on the other

hand

are determined by the arrangement or

order of stressed and expressed

syllables in one foot

there are six types of foot the trokey

the anapest ducktail spondy

ferric and iron today you will learn how

to identify the types of foot

and determine the rhythm or rhythmic

pattern in a helvetic line

to do this we will be using these

symbols

to classify which syllables are stressed

you will be seeing this symbol and

for the unstressed syllables this will

be used

let's start with the troche a trochaic

foot

is composed of two syllables the first

one is

stressed and the second one is

unstressed

let us start with an easy example

as you can see each foot is separated by

lines for easier identification

how many feet do you see

there are five so this line

is a pentameter each foot is composed of

the same word

which has two syllables in which the

first is stressed

and the second one is unstressed

never never

is an example of a trochaic foot

and since all five feet have the same

word

the same stress and stress pattern is

repeated

so if this poetic line is composed of

five trochaic feet

therefore its rhythm or rhythmic pattern

is called a trochaic pentameter

clear now let us have another example

this line is quite longer than the first

one

so i want you to count how many feet are

there

there are eight feet

so this line is an octameter

same as the first one each foot in this

poetic line

is composed of a trokey

so this shall be read as in the spring a

young man's fancy lightly turns to

thoughts of love

in this example notice that the third

foot is not a trokey

because both syllables are stressed

and also the last foot only has

one syllable but in spite of these

this is generally true because strokes

are more dominant than the other foot

the next type of foot is a spondy

a spandex foot also has two syllables

and both of them are stressed but unlike

the trochee

spawn these never appear as a dominant

foot in a line

they appear in isolation try to identify

the spondees in these lines

all whom war death age

egg use tyrannies despair

law chance hath slain

and you whose eyes shall behold god

the spawnies in line one are foot number

two and three in line two the spondy is

foot number two

same with the spondy in the last line

notice that the words separated in

commas are pronounced with emphasis

this is one of the functions of a

spontaneic foot

it gives emphasis to ideas the

variations of unstressed and stressed

syllables that you see

in the examples are normal in many poems

now how about in this example crushed

why do men then now not wreck his rod

which do you think are the spawn bees

it's the first foot and the third

foot again

spawn these do not appear as dominant

feet

time let us talk about the anabes an

animpastic foot is composed of three

syllables

in which the first two are in stress and

the last is

stressed listen to this line

it was many and many a year ago

this line has four feet

wherein the first three are all anapests

so this line is called an anapestic

tetrameter

again the variation in the last foot is

normal among all poems

how about the second one

the assyrian came down like a wolf on

the fold

and his cohorts were gleaming in purple

and gold

did you notice the consistency of the

rhythm it creates

it's as if you are chanting while

reading the poem right

foot number four is a duct tail

a ductilic foot has three syllables

with stress and stress and stress

pattern

listen to this example this is the

forest primoval

the murmuring pines and the hemlocks

it has six feet therefore it's called a

ductilic hexameter

listen to the next example whatever much

of a witch of a wind

it's very short but still you hear the

ducktale right

the first syllables in every foot are

stressed

this line has four feet therefore its

rhythmic pattern is called

ductilic tetrameter

another type of foot is the ferric foot

it is composed of two syllables and both

of them are unstressed

just like this pondy a ferric foot does

not

appear as a dominant foot in poetry

it only appears in isolation

listen to this example

at the round earth's imagined corners

blow

in this poetic line only the first foot

is apheric and the rest are a

combination of

spawn d's and iams

this time let me discuss with you the

iambic foot

an iamb has two syllables the first one

is unstressed and the second one is

stressed among all the types of foot

this one is the most common and the

iambic pentameter

is the most common rhythmic pattern used

by

shakespeare in most of his poems

how does an im sound in a poetic line

listen to the first example scoffing his

stayed and grinning at his pump

this one is composed of five feet in

which four

are iams shakespeare includes a trophy

in the first foot

atrocity in an ayambic line is called a

reversed foot

in a yambikentimeter verse a reverse

foot occurs

frequently in the first foot just like

this one

but sometimes it can also appear in the

third foot

or fourth and almost never

in the second and fifth

another variation of the iambic

pentameter is this one

to be or not to be that is the question

the extra unstressed syllable at the end

of the line

though not common is still a possible

variation in iambic line

another example is this one

at the round earth's imagine coroner's

blow

the beginning of this line has a ferric

followed by a spondy this combination

is called a double or ionic foot

which often appears at the beginning of

a line

and the last variation is in this line

of all that

insolent grease or haughty roam

in this line you can see that there is

an anapist

in the third foot despite of these

variations

these lines are still called iambic

pentameters

because the dominant feet are ions

and that's it i hope this lecture helped

you in understanding foot

rhythm and mirror stay tuned for our

next lesson

thank you for listening have a great day

[Music]

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