Monday, November 11, Take a handout from the front table -You do not need a portfolio -Have a pencil out

What is Iambic Pentameter? For the following slides, we are going to zoom in on a line from a poem, just like google maps, to identify all the components of Iambic Pentameter.

Line vs. Meter Line is simply a line of poetry, a pretty or deliberate order of words. Example: Life for me aint been no crystal stair. Meter is when a line of poetry has rhythm. Example: But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? …think M for rhythM

By the pricking of my rule of thumb! Line is not always Meter, but Meter is always Line. …whats that rule about squares and rectangles? same difference.

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

Five feet to a meter=

…Think Pentagon

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? But soft!

/ Ba

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? / //// Ba

Great!

Now…how do we figure it out? Count the syllables, does it have Ten? Apply the rhythm to those words. Does it sound smooth, does it flow, is it natural and complete? If yes to both questions, then yes to IAMBIC PENTAMETER!!!!