When Analyzing Poetry a Foot Refers to
When reading poetry it is common to encounter the term ‘foot’, but what does it actually mean? A foot when discussing poetry, is a unit of meter. Meter is the rhythm of a poem, so in effect it is a measure of a poem’s rhythm. It involves the use of repeated syllables which gives a rhyming pattern, aiding the poetic flow.
A ‘foot’ as it relates to analyzing poetry consists of one stressed and one or more unstressed syllables. Depending on the type of feet used, it will influence how a poem flows and thus how it feels. The two main feet types are Iambic and Trochaic, which have 2 syllables each. Iambic feet have an unstressed then a stressed syllable, while Trochaic feet have the opposite, with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one.
Most people recognize between a half-foot and a full foot. A full foot contains a stressed and an unstressed syllable, however a half-foot does not. Any syllable which does not contain a stressed syllable is considered a half-foot. For example, in the word ‘water’, ‘wa’ is a full foot but ‘ter’ is considered to be a half-foot.
Since meter includes counting syllables, a foot is commonly used to indicate the number of syllables in a line of a poem. For example, consider the phrase ‘The rain in Spain’. This is composed of 4 syllables which can be broken down into two feet, both of which are iambic in this case. The first two syllables, ‘The rain’, make up one full iambic foot and the second two syllables, ‘in Spain’, make up another full iambic foot.
It should be noted that meters do differ between different types of poetry, with iambic or trochaic types of feet being the most common. For example, the meter of the famous horror poem, The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, is a trochaic foot. The Raven contains 8 lines, each of them being 11 syllables each and made up of alternating trochees making the poem flow and appear more haunting.
Another example is William Shakespeare’s famous Sonnet 18. This poem has a much softer meter and consists of 3 quatrains and a couplet, with each quatrain having 4 lines of iambic pentameter and the couplet having two lines of iambic pentameter. This softer, more melodic meter adds to the tenderness of the poem.
The Significance Of Feet In Poetry
Feet have a significant impact on poem’s flow and therefore on its overall tone. A poem’s rhythm helps provide a sense of comfort for the reader and sets a mood for the poem. It provides an emphasis for the poem’s thought to the reader by temporarily grouping lines together by fitting them with the same number of feet.
For example, the poem How To Be Happy, written by William Blake, has a very clear rhythm. The feet used are a combination of trochees and iambs. This combined use helps to emphasise the divide between two aspects of the poem, setting a distinct and deliberate tone that wouldn’t be found if a less varied form of meter was used.
In terms of analyzing poetry, feet also help us to identify and categorize a poem’s meter and rhythm. This allows us to better comprehend a poem’s structure, analyze its depth and eventually appreciate it for the artform it is.
By analysing the feet within a poem, readers can gain insight into the thought process of the poet and the feelings being expressed in the poem. This can provide us with better understanding on the poet’s themes and influences.
Feet also allow us to extend our understanding of a poem by establishing patterns in the work, which can also be applied to other areas of study.
Conclusion
When studying poetry and analyzing it, feet are essential. They are essential for both the production and the comprehension of poetry. Feet pattern the flow of a poem, providing a certain rhythm and thus influencing the overall mood. Furthermore, feet are a necessary tool to comprehend and take apart a poem, analytically. They provide us with insight into the poem’s thought process and give us an appreciation of the artform it is.
The Impact of Feet on Poems
Having an understanding of feet when analyzing poetry can make the whole process smoother and easier. Discernment of the feet in a poem can give the reader a better idea of its meter and rhythm, aiding their understanding of the poem’s purpose, theme and storyline.
When analyzing poetry, having an understanding of feet can also provide insight into why certain lines and words have been used and why the poet has chosen to craft the poem the way they have. It can also provide an indication of how successful the poet has been in conveying the purpose and message of the poem.
For readers wishing to go further, familiarising oneself with the various feet types and their properties can help immensely in deciphering and interpreting the deeper meaning of a poem. Knowing the different types of meters and their applications can allow for better comparison between poems and identification of similarities and differences.
What Forms of Feet Are Used in Poetry?
The most common forms of feet used in poetry are the iamb (an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable) and the trochee (a stressed followed by an unstressed syllable). These two feet forms work together to form what is known as “iambic meter”. Examples of this are found in the sonnets of William Shakespeare and poems such as Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats.
Poems may also incorporate anapestic meter, which consists of 3 syllables, the first two being unstressed and the last one being stressed. The most popular example of this is found in the Christmas poem A Visit From St. Nicholas, written by Clement Clarke Moore. Additionally poems may also incorporate spondaic meter which consists of two stressed syllables.
Other types of feet can also be found in some poems, such as the dactyl (a stressed followed by two unstressed syllables). Additionally, some poems can have meters which seem unusual and have several variations, such as The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe and most of the works of T.S. Eliot.
Strategies for Analyzing Feet In Poetry
When analyzing poetry, it is important to have an understanding of various feet types, their properties, and the impact on rhythm. It is also important to understand how different combinations of feet can create different rhythms, helping to shape the mood of the poem.
Analyzing feet when studying poetry can be broken down into a few smaller steps. The first step is to identify any patterns and feet in the lines. Once that is done, it is important to identify the type of feet being used and determine the number of syllables and stressed syllables in each foot. After that, count the feet and identify any variations in the pattern and rhythm. This can help to identify the meter of the poem and the overall mood it conveys.
Finally, it can be helpful to read the poem aloud or hear another person read it. This can provide further clarity that was not visible before. This can be done in order to get a full understanding of the poem’s rhythm and meter, helping to build a richer understanding of the poem’s purpose and message.
The Benefits of Analyzing Feet in Poetry
The ability to analyze feet in poetry opens up a whole new world of understanding. It can allow for deeper appreciation and interpretation of the poem, giving a better understanding of the poet’s ideas and the purpose of the poem. Furthermore, it can help us to identify similarities and differences between different poems and to appreciate the artform in its entirety.
For those wanting to write poetry, understanding feet provides useful insight into the processes involved in writing poetry, their importance and the impact it has on the poem. It can also help novice poets to form their own style and meter of poem, allowing them to identify and understand the techniques they should use to help produce the desired effect.
Analyzing feet in poetry is not only something which is useful for those looking to write poetry, but for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of this wonderful artform. It can help to build a richer appreciation of what poetry is capable of, its connection to literature, and its power to move a reader’s emotions.
Best Practices for Analyzing Feet in Poetry
When wanting to analyze a poem in terms of feet, there are some best practices that should be followed. Firstly, it is important to read the poem several times before attempting to analyze it. This will help to build familiarity with the poem, allowing you to identify patterns and feet more easily.
The second step is to try and identify the feet used in the poem. This can be done by looking for patterns, such as stressed and unstressed syllables, to help narrow down the type of feet being used.
Once the feet have been identified, it is important to identify the meter of the poem and take note of any variations in the meter used. This can be done by counting the number of feet per line using a simpler poem as a reference. Additionally, it is helpful to read the poem aloud in order to recognize any differences in rhythm and meter.
With the understanding of feet in a poem, it is possible to gain a deeper understanding of the poem. It allows us to gain insight into the poet’s thoughts and feelings, to identify the purpose of the poem, and can make the poem more enjoyable overall.
