The Significance of Meter in Poems
Meter is an important part of poetry because it helps readers understand
rhythm as it relates to words and lines in a poem. It also helps writers create
poetry with clearly defined structural elements and strong melodic
undertones. Meter is especially significant when reading poetry aloud
because it guides desired voice fluctuations. Without consistent meter, it is
difficult to maintain a smooth, steady flow throughout a poem unless it
follows a free-verse style. When you write or read poetry, think of meter as
the beat or the cadence of the piece.
Maintains Fluidity
Meter helps a poem maintain a steady and predictable ebb and flow.
This rhythm is created by consistent patterns of individual parts of words:
syllables and their accents. Because English is an accentual language, its
natural rhythms are usually from one accent to the next, not just one syllable
to the next, according to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. There are
typically one to three syllables between each accent in a poem. Poems that
lack a steady and reliable pattern of accented and unaccented syllables often
sound choppy, disconnected and erratic because readers cannot anticipate
their stress points. For example, imagine singing a song in monotone without
a steady rhythm. Or consider a sentence with no punctuation. The result is a
song or a sentence that has no ups and downs, pauses or variations.
Helps Set the Tone
Word choice, mood and voice influence the tone of a poem, but meter
helps set the pace to support the underlying tone. For example, a
melancholy or moody poem might have three syllables between each accent
to slow down the pace. An energetic, spirited poem might only have one
syllable between each accent, giving it a fast-paced, vibrant rhythm. Meter
helps a poet or a reader develop a proper stride so desired emotions and
feelings are adequately expressed.
Identifies Poets and Trends
Meter helps a reader identify when and where a poem comes from. For
example, many Old English poems, such as "Beowulf," have a meter that is
determined by the number of stressed syllables, regardless of the total
number of syllables in each line. William Shakespeare and Robert Frost
poems often have a meter that contains an unaccented syllable followed by
an accented syllable. Lord Alfred Tennyson's poems often include an
accented syllable followed by two unaccented syllables. Poets typically
choose a meter that suits their language, personal style and cultural speech
patterns of the time.
Adds Versatility and Flair
Even though meter is often consistent and predictable, especially in
poems that rhyme or have the same number of syllables in each line, it
offers some flexibility and diversity. Change-ups in meter can make poems
more interesting and they help change the mood if needed. For example, a
divergent meter is similar to a song that has a breakdown or a bridge in the
middle or a symphony that temporarily changes tempo. Meter can deviate
from its normal pattern to make a dramatic point or create rhythmic effects.
Frequently, fluctuations in poetic meter return to their original rhythm before
the poem ends.
