English Literature / Unit 1 ENL 0012 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Line Lengths: Tetrameter to Hexameter
Captions available
The idea
The number of feet names the line: trimeter three, tetrameter four, pentameter five, hexameter six. Iambic hexameter is called an alexandrine. Byron's "And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea" is anapestic tetrameter: four feet of two light syllables and a stress.
In practice
Count the feet, then name the line.
Where people slip
Hexameter in English is usually the alexandrine.
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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