Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 6 AIL 0514 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Iambic Pentameter
Captions available
The idea
The glossary defines iambic pentameter as a line with five beats and quotes Frost: I have been one acquainted with the night. Five iambs, ten syllables. This is the metre of the sonnet, of blank verse, and of most English dramatic verse, so it is the one to know cold.
In practice
Five beats, ten syllables.
Where people slip
This is the exam's default metre.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
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