Meter--Anapest+and+Dactyl

Meter refers to the repeating pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in the lines of a poem. The unit of measurement in poetry is called a metrical foot. A metrical foot is a set of syllables, usually two or three, with only one receiving a strong stress.

Each metrical has its own name; the two that will be discussed are listed below:
 * Anapest:** metrical foot consisting of two short or unstressed syllables followed by one long or stressed syllable. 3 syllables; weak, weak, strong E.g. Illinois
 * Dactyl:** metrical foot consisting of one long or stressed syllable followed by two short, or unstressed, syllables. 3 syllables; strong, weak, weak E.g. Entropy

Frost created beautiful images in his poetry, through rhymes and the insertion of different metrical patterns. For example, in the poem “The road not taken” anapest and dactyl are added within the iambic based poem, breaking the patterns to create different tones and flow within the poem. The use of different metrics creates a dramatic effect.

(spondee) (iambic) (anapest) (iambic)
 * Two roads** / di **verged** / in a **yel** / low **wood**

And **sor** / ry I **could** / not **trav** / el **both** ( iambic ) (anapest) (iambic) (iambic)

And **be** / **one** trav el / er **long** / I **stood** (iambic) (dactyl) (iambic) (iambic)

And **looked** / down **one** / as **far** / as I **could** (iambic) (iambic) (iambic) (anapest)

To **where** / it **bent** / in the **un** / der **growth** (iambic) (iambic) (anapest) (iambic)

The mix of iambic pentameter with anapest creates imagery; the sound of a horse trotting, as though Frost is bringing us through his poem in person on a horse. Places where anapests are present the read becomes quicker and lighter. The dactyl on the other hand creates an emphasis on the first word and once again produces a lighter and quicker read. Without this disruption in patterns, the strict adherence can become monotonous and boring sounding.

In __Hamlet__, Shakespeare uses iambic pentameter as the base line; however, once in a while he would throw in different metrical meters to disrupt the pattern, showing how Hamlet is not being in control with his feelings, or to express the overwhelming of emotions. The iambic pentameter is also broken when Hamlet speaks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to show the contrast that Hamlet is more superior to them, being able to articulate more in consistent pattern than them.