Key Concepts in Epic Poetry and Meter

Epic poetry

A lengthy, narrative poem that recounts the heroic deeds and adventures of legendary figures.

Mock epic

A satirical form of epic poetry that applies grandiose style to trivial subjects.

Heroic couplet

Two consecutive lines of rhyming verse, typically in iambic pentameter.

Meter

The organized pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry.

Iamb

A metrical foot with one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM).

Pentameter

A line of verse containing five metrical feet.

Trochee

A metrical foot with one stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (DUM-da).

Spondee

A metrical foot with two consecutive stressed syllables (DUM-DUM).

Anapest

A metrical foot with two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable (da-da-DUM).

Dactyl

A metrical foot with one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables (DUM-da-da).

Pyrrhic

A metrical foot with two consecutive unstressed syllables (da-da).

Octave

A stanza or poem consisting of eight lines, often with a set rhyme scheme.

Sestet

A stanza or poem consisting of six lines, often serving as the conclusion to a sonnet.