What are all the meters of poetry?

It's impossible to list *all* the meters of poetry because there are so many and new ones are constantly being invented. However, we can discuss the major categories and some common examples:

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.