Question

The meter of the line, " the curfew tolls the knell of the parting day" is

• A. Iambic Pentameter
• B. Iambic Hexameter
• C. Anapest
• D. Spondee

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Iambic Pentameter

• Iambic Pentameter: This is a line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or stressed) syllable.
• Structure: The pattern is da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM.
• Example Breakdown: In the line "The CURfew TOLLS the KNELL of PARTing DAY", each pair of syllables represents an iamb.
• Meter in Poetry: Understanding meter is crucial for analyzing poetic form and structure, a common topic in English Literature exams.
• Thomas Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard": The line is famously from this poem, known for its melancholic and contemplative tone.
• Significance: Iambic pentameter is the most common meter in English poetry, used by poets like Shakespeare, Milton, and Wordsworth. Its natural rhythm often mimics spoken English, making it versatile.
• Variations: While strict iambic pentameter has ten syllables, poets often introduce variations (like trochaic inversions, where a stressed syllable begins a foot) for emphasis or to avoid monotony.
• Competitive Exams Focus: Questions on poetic meter often test the ability to identify the dominant metrical pattern in a given line or passage. Recognizing iambic pentameter is a fundamental skill for these exams.