Metre is the regular rhythm of a poem, established by the poet through the strategic use of stressed and unstressed syllables. This rhythmic structure lends poetry its musicality, helping to shape the reader’s emotional and auditory experience in a way that differs markedly from prose.
Metre can be found in many poetic forms—from ancient ballads to modern verse—and remains a fundamental element of poetic composition.
Understanding Metre
Metre refers to the pattern of beats or syllables in a line of poetry. Each group of syllables that follows a particular rhythm is known as a ‘foot’. A line of poetry is composed of several such feet.
One of the most common types of poetic metre in English is iambic pentameter. This form comprises five feet per line, with each foot made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. For example:
“The / quick / brown / fox / jumps.”
Here, “quick,” “fox,” and “jumps” carry the stress, creating a subtle, flowing rhythm. Even when readers are unaware of the underlying structure, the metre influences the way the poem sounds and feels.
Types of Metre
In addition to iambic metre, several other patterns are widely used in English poetry:
- Trochaic metre: A stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one (e.g. “Tyger, tyger, burning bright”).
- Anapaestic metre: Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one (e.g. “In the midst / of the night”).
- Dactylic metre: A stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables (e.g. “Half a league”).
- Spondaic metre (less common): Two consecutive stressed syllables.
Each of these metrical patterns contributes a unique musical texture and emotional tone to a poem. Poets choose their metre carefully, depending on the mood, subject, or effect they wish to achieve.
The Function of Metre
Metre is a powerful tool in a poet’s craft. It can:
- Create a sense of rhythm and harmony
- Evoke particular moods, such as urgency, peace, or tension
- Offer structure and consistency, especially in formal verse
- Emphasise important words or ideas within a line
While some poets stick rigidly to traditional metrical patterns, others bend or break the rules to create tension, surprise, or innovation in their work.
Exploring Metre Further
If you’re keen to explore metre in greater depth, here are a few tips:
- Read classic poems aloud to hear the rhythm naturally.
- Study the works of poets like Shakespeare, John Donne, or T.S. Eliot for metrical mastery.
- Refer to poetry guides or textbooks for explanations and exercises.
- Write your own verses, experimenting with different metrical feet and line lengths.
The more poetry you read and write, the more intuitive your understanding of metre will become.
Metre is not just a technical feature of poetry; it is the heartbeat of verse, shaping how a poem sounds, feels, and flows. Whether steady and traditional or experimental and free, metre helps transform ordinary language into something timeless, evocative, and beautifully poetic.