Here's a breakdown:
* Length: Meter refers to the number of syllables in a line of poetry, and how these syllables are arranged.
* Internal Structure: It also encompasses the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables within a line, which creates a rhythmic effect.
For example, iambic pentameter is a common meter in English poetry. It consists of five metrical feet, each containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This creates a rhythmic pattern that is often described as being both natural and pleasing to the ear.
Other examples of meter include:
* Iambic tetrameter: Four iambs per line (eight syllables)
* Trochaic tetrameter: Four trochees per line (eight syllables)
* Anapestic trimeter: Three anapests per line (nine syllables)
* Dactylic hexameter: Six dactyls per line (eighteen syllables)
Understanding meter is crucial for analyzing poetry because it contributes to the overall sound and meaning of a poem. It can also be used to create specific effects, such as emphasizing certain words or phrases or creating a sense of tension or suspense.