1. Syllabic Meters:
* Syllabic Meter: This is based solely on the number of syllables per line, regardless of stress patterns. It's common in French poetry.
* Example: Octave Syllabic: 8 syllables per line
* Short Syllabic: Lines with fewer syllables, often used in children's poetry or for a playful effect.
* Example: Tri-syllabic: 3 syllables per line
* Long Syllabic: Lines with a higher number of syllables, often used for grandeur or epic poems.
* Example: Dodecasyllabic: 12 syllables per line
2. Accentual Meters:
* Accentual Meter: Based on the number of stressed syllables per line, regardless of the total number of syllables. This is common in Old English poetry.
* Example: Four-stress: 4 stressed syllables per line
* Two-stress: 2 stressed syllables per line
* Three-stress: 3 stressed syllables per line
3. Accentual-Syllabic Meters:
* Accentual-Syllabic Meter: This combines the number of syllables and the number of stressed syllables per line. It's the most common meter in English poetry.
* Iambic: Unstressed/stressed (e.g., "beLOW")
* Iambic Pentameter: 5 iambs per line (10 syllables total, 5 stressed) - Common in Shakespeare
* Trochaic: Stressed/unstressed (e.g., "DAWNing")
* Trochaic Tetrameter: 4 trochees per line (8 syllables total, 4 stressed)
* Anapestic: Unstressed/unstressed/stressed (e.g., "in the BEGinning")
* Anapestic Trimeter: 3 anapests per line (9 syllables total, 3 stressed)
* Dactylic: Stressed/unstressed/unstressed (e.g., "HAPpily ever AFter")
* Dactylic Hexameter: 6 dactyls per line (18 syllables total, 6 stressed) - Also called Alexandrine
4. Free Verse:
* Free Verse: No regular meter or rhyme scheme. It relies on rhythm, emphasis, and other poetic devices.
Note:
* Metrical Variation: Even within a specific meter, poets often introduce variations for emphasis or to create specific effects. This is called metrical substitution.
* Rhyme: While meters are about rhythm, they are often combined with rhyme schemes.
It's worth exploring specific poetic works and noting how the meter contributes to their meaning and effect.