What is the characteristic pattern of a spondaic meter?

What is the characteristic pattern of a spondaic meter?

• A. Unstressed, unstressed
• B. Stressed, stressed
• C. Stressed, unstressed
• D. Unstressed, stressed

Answer: (B)

A spondaic meter is characterized by a pattern of two stressed syllables occurring in succession. This pattern is notable for its rhythmic quality, which typically creates a dramatic or emphatic effect in poetry. Spondees are often used to add weight and importance to specific phrases or lines, breaking the flow of more common metrical patterns such as iambs or trochees. By employing this meter, a poet can emphasize particular themes or emotions, enhancing the overall impact of the piece. Other metrical patterns, such as anapestic or iambic, have different arrangements of stressed and unstressed syllables, but the defining feature of a spondaic meter is the occurrence of two consecutive stressed syllables, which is why the indicated answer is correct.

A spondaic meter is characterized by a pattern of two stressed syllables occurring in succession. This pattern is notable for its rhythmic quality, which typically creates a dramatic or emphatic effect in poetry. Spondees are often used to add weight and importance to specific phrases or lines, breaking the flow of more common metrical patterns such as iambs or trochees. By employing this meter, a poet can emphasize particular themes or emotions, enhancing the overall impact of the piece.

Other metrical patterns, such as anapestic or iambic, have different arrangements of stressed and unstressed syllables, but the defining feature of a spondaic meter is the occurrence of two consecutive stressed syllables, which is why the indicated answer is correct.