Iambic
adjective
Related to a type of rhythm in poetry where one unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one.
Shakespeare's sonnets are written in iambic pentameter.
Often appears as...
- iambic pentameter
- iambic verse
Usage tips
Poetic
adjective
Related to a type of rhythm in poetry where one unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one.
Shakespeare's sonnets are written in iambic pentameter.
Often appears as...
- iambic pentameter
- iambic verse
Usage tips
Poetic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Poetry Foundation
Understanding 'iambic' helps read and interpret classic and contemporary poetry, as it's a foundational rhythm.
The iambic meter gives a natural flow to the poem, mimicking the rhythm of speech.
Pro Tip 2/3Shakespeare's Signature
'Iambic' is heavily associated with Shakespeare, who often used it, casting a historical and literary importance.
Most of Shakespeare's plays feature characters speaking in iambic verse.
Pro Tip 3/3Meter Recognition
Recognizing 'iambic' patterns in poetry helps to appreciate the poet's craft and the poem's rhythm.
I could identify the smooth iambic rhythm in the poem, giving a sense of calm.
Pro Tip 1/3Poetry Foundation
Understanding 'iambic' helps read and interpret classic and contemporary poetry, as it's a foundational rhythm.
The iambic meter gives a natural flow to the poem, mimicking the rhythm of speech.
Pro Tip 2/3Shakespeare's Signature
'Iambic' is heavily associated with Shakespeare, who often used it, casting a historical and literary importance.
Most of Shakespeare's plays feature characters speaking in iambic verse.
Pro Tip 3/3Meter Recognition
Recognizing 'iambic' patterns in poetry helps to appreciate the poet's craft and the poem's rhythm.
I could identify the smooth iambic rhythm in the poem, giving a sense of calm.
Pro Tip 1/3Poetry Foundation
Understanding 'iambic' helps read and interpret classic and contemporary poetry, as it's a foundational rhythm.
The iambic meter gives a natural flow to the poem, mimicking the rhythm of speech.
Pro Tip 2/3Shakespeare's Signature
'Iambic' is heavily associated with Shakespeare, who often used it, casting a historical and literary importance.
Most of Shakespeare's plays feature characters speaking in iambic verse.
Pro Tip 3/3Meter Recognition
Recognizing 'iambic' patterns in poetry helps to appreciate the poet's craft and the poem's rhythm.
I could identify the smooth iambic rhythm in the poem, giving a sense of calm.
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Video examples
Paper towns and why...
and I learned that iambic pentameter is and why it sounds so good to human ears. I learned that the Civil War was a nationalizing conflict, I learned some physics, I learned that correlation shouldn't be confused with causation -- all of these things, by the way, enriched my life on a literally daily basis.
Video examples
Why Shakespeare loved...
are written in regular prose. But if you read carefully, you'll notice that Shakespeare's characters turn to poetry, and iambic pentameter in particular, for many of the same reasons that we look to poetry in our own lives. Feeling passionate, introspective, or momentous.
Video examples
Paper towns and why...
and I learned that iambic pentameter is and why it sounds so good to human ears. I learned that the Civil War was a nationalizing conflict, I learned some physics, I learned that correlation shouldn't be confused with causation -- all of these things, by the way, enriched my life on a literally daily basis.
Video examples
Why Shakespeare loved...
are written in regular prose. But if you read carefully, you'll notice that Shakespeare's characters turn to poetry, and iambic pentameter in particular, for many of the same reasons that we look to poetry in our own lives. Feeling passionate, introspective, or momentous.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Kurt Sutter
American Director
Here's the deal with 'Bastard.' I loved that show, and for me, it was such a palate cleanser, going from writing urban vernacular and crime to, essentially, iambic pentameter. I loved the mythology of that world based on history, but what it came down to was money.
Quote examples
Calvin Trillin
American Journalist
You know, I used to say, when people say, 'How do you think about what to write about in the poems every week?' And I say, 'Well, I have to turn it in on Monday, so on Sunday nights I turn the shower to iambic pentameter and it sort of works out that way.
Quote examples
John C. McGinley
American Actor
The conventional wisdom with David Mamet is, you do not change a word. And that agrees with me. If you want to change any of David's words, it's like wanting to change the iambic pentameter in Shakespeare - you should do something else.
Quote examples
Neil Patrick Harris
American Actor
It's good to have a lot of once-in-a-lifetimes in your lifetime. If you get the chance to skydive, go skydiving. If you're offered a part in a weird Shakespeare play in San Diego, slap on some tights and rock out some iambic pentameter.
Quote examples
Richard McCabe
Scottish Actor
I adored being at the RSC and working on the verse and getting the iambic pentameter right. You just skim across the surface, and the speech is over before you know it. You can just ride along on the music of it.
Quote examples
Vikram Seth
Indian Novelist
You have to learn a few things, which you do along the way, but basically, poetry is a matter of the ear. Iambic pentameters or what constitutes a stanza comes naturally - your ears will know.
Quote examples
James Fenton
British Poet
The iambic line, with its characteristic forward movement from short to long, or light to heavy, or unstressed to stressed, is the quintessential measure of English verse.
Quote examples
Ian Doescher
American Writer
I've spent so much time with iambic pentameter that I can now recognize it when I hear it in conversation or a movie - it's like a weird, useless superpower.
Quote examples
A. A. Gill
British Writer
I tell you, once a girl's got a dose of novels she's a pushover for iambic pentameter.
Quote examples
Howard Nemerov
American Poet
I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.
Quote examples
Kurt Sutter
American Director
Here's the deal with 'Bastard.' I loved that show, and for me, it was such a palate cleanser, going from writing urban vernacular and crime to, essentially, iambic pentameter. I loved the mythology of that world based on history, but what it came down to was money.
Quote examples
Calvin Trillin
American Journalist
You know, I used to say, when people say, 'How do you think about what to write about in the poems every week?' And I say, 'Well, I have to turn it in on Monday, so on Sunday nights I turn the shower to iambic pentameter and it sort of works out that way.
Quote examples
John C. McGinley
American Actor
The conventional wisdom with David Mamet is, you do not change a word. And that agrees with me. If you want to change any of David's words, it's like wanting to change the iambic pentameter in Shakespeare - you should do something else.
Quote examples
Neil Patrick Harris
American Actor
It's good to have a lot of once-in-a-lifetimes in your lifetime. If you get the chance to skydive, go skydiving. If you're offered a part in a weird Shakespeare play in San Diego, slap on some tights and rock out some iambic pentameter.
Quote examples
Richard McCabe
Scottish Actor
I adored being at the RSC and working on the verse and getting the iambic pentameter right. You just skim across the surface, and the speech is over before you know it. You can just ride along on the music of it.
Quote examples
Vikram Seth
Indian Novelist
You have to learn a few things, which you do along the way, but basically, poetry is a matter of the ear. Iambic pentameters or what constitutes a stanza comes naturally - your ears will know.
Quote examples
James Fenton
British Poet
The iambic line, with its characteristic forward movement from short to long, or light to heavy, or unstressed to stressed, is the quintessential measure of English verse.
Quote examples
Ian Doescher
American Writer
I've spent so much time with iambic pentameter that I can now recognize it when I hear it in conversation or a movie - it's like a weird, useless superpower.
Quote examples
A. A. Gill
British Writer
I tell you, once a girl's got a dose of novels she's a pushover for iambic pentameter.
Quote examples
Howard Nemerov
American Poet
I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.
Example 1 of 10
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