trochee

=**__Trochee__**=

Trochee is a common feet in English verse, which is cadenced language cut up into lines. Trochee is a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable.

Examples: (The underlined syllables are stressed, while the syllables that are not underlined are unstressed.) Her __hard__est __hue__ to __hold__. Her __earl__y __leaf's__ a __flower__; But __on__ly __so__ an __hour__. Then __leaf__ sub__sides__ to __leaf__, So __E__den __sank__ to __grief__, So __dawn__ goes __down__ to __day__ __No__thing __gold__ can __stay__.
 * “Nothing Gold Can Stay” – Robert Frost**


 * The entire poem, except the last line, is written in iambic meter. The last line is written in trochee.

Effect: The one line that is written in trochee metre creates a break from the pattern of iambic metre developed throughout the poem. It creates a disjunction in the way the reader has to say the words and draws special attention to the line that is being said, which is also the title, and thus plays an utmost important role in the theme or focus of the poem. However, it should be noted that trochee is very much similar to the iambic meter other than the fact that it is the reverse. This does cause a slight change in the rhythm of the poem, but not enough to affect its pace.


 * Lines from Shakespeare’s __Hamlet__**

**(III.ii)** Hamlet: ‘__By__ and __by__’ is __ea__sily __said__. __Leave__ me, __friends__. 'Tis __now__ the __ve__ry __wit__ching __time__ of __night__, __When__ the __church__yards __yawn__ and __hell__ it__self__ breathes __out__ And __do__ such __bit__ter __bus__iness __as__ the __day__ Would __quake__ to __look__ on. __Soft!__ now __to__ my __mot__her.

Effect: Because Shakespeare usually writes in iambic pentameter (see iamb), there are only several occasions where he uses the trochee meter. In many cases, as shown in the few lines on this page, it is used to create a more serious and stern tone, and is used for giving orders. For example, only the first and third line in the short extract above are written, and the first is an order by Hamlet: "Leave me, friends." The trochee presents a break within the natural rhythm of speech, captured by the iambic meter, and hence sounds more forced and harsh.

Hamlet: Now, __mo__ther, __what's__ the __ma__tter? Queen: __Hamlet__, thou __has__t thy __fa__ther __much__ of__fend__ed. Hamlet: __Mother__, you __have__ my __fa__ther __much__ of__fend__ed. Queen: Come, __come__, you __an__swer __with__ an __i__dle __tongue__. Hamlet: Go, __go__, you __ques__tion __with__ a __wic__ked __tongue__. Queen: __Why__, how __now__, __Ham__let!
 * (III.vi)**

Effect: The trochee used in the second and third lines of this short extract emphasizes how much each character feels the other has "offended" the Old King Hamlet. The trochee, again, is a slight change from the iambic meter. However, it creates a firmer tone for Queen Gertrude and Hamlet, which suggests that they are arguing. Furthermore, this notion is emphasized by Hamlet's witty comments that mirror Gertrude's claims in diction and rhythm. This is especially shown through the direct mimicking of the trochee and then the iambic meter in the first to fourth lines of the extract above -- in fact, the use of the trochee, followed by Hamlet's mirrored line, heightens this sense of Hamlet and Gertrude in an arguement. It also hints at Hamlet's intentional comments to provoke Gertrude.

King: __Fol__low __him__ at __foot__; tempt __him__ with __speed__ a__board__;
 * (IV.iii)**

Effect: Read the "Effect" section written for Act III, Scene ii above about using the trochee meter to create a more serious tone -- one used for giving orders.

Hamlet: __I’ll__ be __with__ you __straight__. __Go__ a __little__ be__fore__. How __all__ oc__ca__sions __do__ in__form__ ag__ainst__ me, And __spur__ my __dull__ rev__enge__! What __is__ a __man__...
 * (IV.iv)**

Effect: In the first line of one of Hamlet's soliloquies, he dismisses all the actors on stage. Shakespeare does this in order to introduce Hamlet's soliloquy, which is not uncommon. In Hamlet's fifth soliloquy, the first extract on this page from Act III, Scene ii, Shakespeare also uses the trochee meter to bring in Hamlet's soliloquy. The trochee, which is only used in one line, creates a sharp distinction between the lines prior to the soliloquy.