Poetry and Metrics

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Poetry and Metrics

• Latin to a Beat

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Definitions

• Latin poetry is defined by its meter, which is
  the arrangement of long and short syllables
  across a line of verse.
• A Latin word has as many syllables as it has
  vowels and diphthongs.
• Diphthongs are pairs of vowels that make one
  sound.
• - ae, au, ei, eu, oe, ui

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Syllable Rules

• Some simple rules
• 1. Break up words after every vowel, EXCEPT for
  Rules 2 3
• e.g. cinerem
• 2. Groups of consonants split in the middle.
• e.g. multum tristi
• 3. Diphthongs stay together.
• e.g. Croesus

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Syllable Definitions

• Definition Open syllables end in a vowel
• e.g. ci-ne-rem
• Definition Closed syllables end in a consonant
• e.g. mul-tum

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Syllable Quantity

• Open syllables with a long vowel are LONG.
• All closed syllables are LONG.
• All diphthongs are LONG.
• If the syllable does not match with the above
  rules, it is SHORT.

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Poetic Feet

• A poetic foot is an arrangement of long and short
  syllables
• Dactyl
• Fast paced, gives poetry light and lilting effect
• Spondee
• Suggests serious tone or tension, slow movement,
  solemn effect
• Trochee
• Choriamb
• Iamb

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Elision

• Elision occurs when two words are pronounced
  together.
• Syllables in Latin poetry elide if the following
  occurs
• If the final syllable ends in a vowel or
  diphthong, and the next word begins with a vowel,
  or the letter h
• E.g rege horam
• If the final syllable ends in a vowel m, and
  the next word begins with a vowel, or the letter
  h
• E.g caelum undique

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Meters of Catullus

• Most common meter is hendecasyllabic
• 11 scanned syllables per line
• If you find more than 11 syllables per line,
  there are enough elisions in the line to bring it
  to 11 syllables
• Always in this pattern