Robert Frost is best known for his phenomenal use of meter. Most often Robert Frost combined iambic and trochaic meter in his poems. He has a knack for making the meter of a poem feel natural, as if it were it were not even there. Robert Frost’s most popular and recognizable work, “The Road Not Taken,” utilizes Iambic Tetrameter for the majority of the poem. Iambic Tetrameter is made up of four iambs, which are two syllables each that make up one metrical foot in a line of poetry. It consists of eight syllables and is optimized for achieving an easy and almost conversational flow to a poem. Another great example of Robert Frost’s fantastic use of Iambic Tetrameter is “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” where the same pattern is recreated time and time again within the poem.
Not only did Robert Frost use Iambic Tetrameter, but he also employed the use of trochaic meter as well. For example, in the poem “Fire and Ice,” Frost uses three trochees in the first two lines. Trochaic meter consists of two syllables per metrical foot, with the stress on the first syllable and the second being unstressed. An example of this is the line: “Some say the world will end in fire.” The use of trochaic meter in this poem gives it a sense of urgency and intensity that the iambic meter never could.
Robert Frost excelled at blending these two meters in ways that still resonate with readers today. For example, in “Mending Wall,” both meters are used to give the poem a rhythm that is both lyrical and engaging. In this poem, Frost employs an alternating pattern between iambic and trochaic meter to give the poem a sense of lyricism and dynamism, which makes the poem come alive for the reader. He also manages to blend both meters in a way that is natural and organic, making the poem sound as if it is being spoken rather than read.
The Kind of Meter Frost Uses in His Other Works
In many of Robert Frost’s other works, he has opted for using a combination of anapaestic meter mixed with either iambic or trochaic meter. Anapaestic meter is made up of three syllables in each metrical foot, with the stress on the second syllable and the other two being unstressed. For example, in “Birches,” Frost blends anapaestic meter with a combination of iambic and trochaic meter to create a unique rhythm in the poem. This blend of meters helps to give the poem a lightness and airiness that have become associated with Frost’s work.
Another example of Frost’s combination of anapaestic and either iambic or trochaic meter are in poems such as “Out, Out–” and “Bereft.” In both of these poems, he employs an alternating pattern of the two meters, making them sound more conversational and natural. Additionally, he employs the use of multiple metrical feet within the same line in order to create interesting rhythms that add to the overall complexity of the poem.
Frost also uses a combination of blank verse, or unrhymed lines, and some occasional rhyme in his poems. This combination of free verse and rhyme gives his poems an unpredictable and even chaotic quality. It adds to the complexity of the poem and helps to evoke a certain emotion in the reader. This combination of rhyme and blank verse is often seen in poems such as “Fire and Ice,” where the alternating rhyme scheme is used to help give the poem an off-kilter feel.
How Frost Uses Meter In His Poems
Robert Frost expertly combines various metrical feet, meters, and rhyme schemes to create complex and diverse poems that are unlike any other. He uses the meter to give his poems an easy and conversational flow rather than relying solely on rhyme to do so. In addition, he blends the various meters and metrical feet in a way that is subtle yet effective. For example, in the poem “Mending Wall,” Frost utilizes an alternating pattern between iambic and trochaic meter in each line in order to give the poem a lyrical quality.
Frost also cleverly uses metre to hint at hidden meanings in his poems. In “The Road Not Taken,” meter clues the reader in to the fact that the choice being discussed in the poem could have gone either way. This subtle hint is something that would have gone unnoticed by most readers, but with Frost’s use of meter, it becomes much more apparent.
Frost also uses meter in order to bring a sense of music and rhythm to his poetry. This helps to make the poem even more enjoyable for the reader, as the meter and rhyme serve to create an ebb and flow that keeps the reader engaged. This is especially true of poems such as “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening,” where Frost combines meter and rhyme to great effect to make the poem feel more alive and vibrant.
Other Uses of Meter in Frost’s Poetry
Robert Frost also demonstrates his mastery of meter by using it as an integral part of his storytelling technique. In poems such as “Acquainted with the Night” and “Design,” Frost uses meter to build tension and suspense in the poem. This helps to draw in the reader, as they become more and more invested in the story and the characters in the poem.
Frost also utilizes meter to give structure to a poem and create a certain mood and atmosphere. In the poem “Design,” Frost creates a haunting and almost eerie atmosphere with the use of an irregular and unpredictable meter. This gives the poem a chaotic and off-kilter feel that helps bring the story to life for the reader.
Finally, Frost often uses meter to create a sense of closure at the end of the poem. This is especially true of poems such as “Fire and Ice,” which uses meter to draw the poem to a satisfying conclusion. This serves to give the poem a sense of unity and wholeness that makes it more complete and satisfying for the reader.
Conclusion
Robert Frost was a master of meter, as demonstrated by his vast selection of work. He blended various meters, metrical feet, and rhyme schemes in order to create unique and devastatingly beautiful poetry. Frost employed meter as an integral part of his storytelling technique, utilizing it to build tension and create a certain atmosphere in the poem. His use of meter in his work has helped to make it timeless and his work is still read and appreciated by readers today.
