The rhythms of English poetryExamines the way in which poetry in English makes use of rhythm. The author argues that there are three major influences which determine the verse-forms used in any language: the natural rhythm of the spoken language itself; the properties of rhythmic form; and the metrical conventions which have grown up within the literary tradition. He investigates these in order to explain the forms of English verse, and to show how rhythm and metre work as an essential part of the reader's experience of poetry. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 86
Page 123
Almost all nursery rhymes, ballads, hymns, and other forms of popular verse and
song use the four-beat rhythm as the basis of their metre, most often in groups of
four lines or in simple variations on this basic structure. Lines with three main ...
Almost all nursery rhymes, ballads, hymns, and other forms of popular verse and
song use the four-beat rhythm as the basis of their metre, most often in groups of
four lines or in simple variations on this basic structure. Lines with three main ...
Page 142
5.5 FIVE-BEAT AND FOUR-BEAT RHYTHMS In discussing these features of the
pentameter I have, of course, been emphasising the differences between four-
beat and five-beat rhythms. We shall examine in the rest of this book the rather ...
5.5 FIVE-BEAT AND FOUR-BEAT RHYTHMS In discussing these features of the
pentameter I have, of course, been emphasising the differences between four-
beat and five-beat rhythms. We shall examine in the rest of this book the rather ...
Page 143
constitutive elements. Now while it is obvious that the lines quoted do not change
the poem's rhythm from five-beat to four-beat, they do possess a distinctive
rhythmic spring; and that this is the result of the pattern I have described can
easily be ...
constitutive elements. Now while it is obvious that the lines quoted do not change
the poem's rhythm from five-beat to four-beat, they do possess a distinctive
rhythmic spring; and that this is the result of the pattern I have described can
easily be ...
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
LINGUISTIC APPROACHES | 28 |
THE RHYTHMS OF ENGLISH SPEECH | 59 |
THE FOURBEAT RHYTHM | 76 |
Copyright | |
8 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
4x4 structure accentual-syllabic verse alternation anapaestic Bo Bo Ceolred classical approach common metre complex create David Abercrombie deviation discussion distinction double offbeat duple metre duple verse emphasis English metre English verse example falling rhythm five-beat line following line four-beat line four-beat rhythm four-beat verse function iambic pentameter implied offbeat initial inversion initial offbeat language linguistic literary metrical form metrical pattern metrical rules metrical set metrical structure metrical style metrical subordination metrical theory metrist movement nonstresses occur offbeat condition optional pause perceived perception phonetic phonological phrase poem poetic poetry poets pronunciation prosody reader reading rhyme rhythmic form rhythmic structure rhythmic unit scansion semantic sense sequence single offbeat speech rhythms stanza stress contour stress pattern stress-final pairing stress-initial pairing stress-timing stressed and unstressed strong syllable count syntactic break syntax tension tradition triple metre triple rhythm triple verse trochaic trochee underlying rhythm unrealised beat unstressed syllables words
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | The rhythms of English poetry Volume 14 of English language series Issue 14 of Randolph Quirk |
| Author | Derek Attridge |
| Publisher | Longman, 1982 |
| Original from | the University of California |
| Digitized | 7 Mar 2008 |
| ISBN | 0582551056, 9780582551053 |
| Length | 395 pages |
| Subjects | › English language English language - Rhythm English language - Versification English language Rhythm English language Versification English language/ Rhythm English language/ Versification Literary Criticism / Poetry Poetry / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Poetry / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |