Iambic pentameter | Definition & Examples
Iambic pentameter is a term describing the rhythmic structure of a line in a poem or play. Each line written in iambic pentameter consists of ten syllables in a specific pattern of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Iambic pentameter is the most common rhythmic pattern in English literature. Many renowned writers, such as William Shakespeare, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and John Milton, have used its rhythm and flow to pace their poems and plays.
What is iambic pentameter?
To understand what iambic pentameter is, first, we need to look at some poetry-specific terms that describe how a line of verse is constructed:
- In poetry, a foot is a basic rhythmic unit, consisting of a specific combination of stressed and unstressed syllables and a pattern of emphasis.
- An iamb is one type of foot consisting of two syllables with the second one emphasized. In the English language, many words follow an iambic rhythm. Think, for instance, the words “above,” “compare,” and “define”; we naturally emphasize the second syllable as we pronounce them, so it is “ab-OVE,” “com-PARE,” and “de-FINE.”
- The meter measures how many syllables (and thus, how many feet) there are in a line of verse. By controlling the meter of a poem, writers create the rhythmic structure of a poem. “Penta” means “five” in Greek (it is the same prefix in the words “pentagon” and “pentathlon”), so pentameter means that there are five feet in a line.
So, putting it all together, a line of poetry written in iambic pentameter consists of five iambs: five unstressed syllables, each of which is followed by a stressed syllable.
“So LONG as MEN can BREATHE, or EYES can SEE”
A good way to think about iambic pentameter is to think about the sound of a heartbeat (duh-DUM, duh-DUM, duh-DUM). Therefore, a line of iambic pentameter is a line of poetry consisting of ten syllables following the pattern:
da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM
Each da-DUM is a foot and the whole pattern is the meter.
While iambic pentameter generally follows this structure, poets sometimes vary the pattern for dramatic or rhythmic effect.
Iambic pentameter examples
Iambic pentameter is often associated with the works of William Shakespeare (although he did not “invent” this meter). Shakespeare uses iambic pentameter not just for rhythm but to express emotions, highlight important ideas, and define his characters. Sometimes he sticks to the pattern perfectly, and other times he changes it to draw attention to key moments. The following examples show how this poetic structure works and why Shakespeare’s choices matter in his plays.
| But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, scene 2) | A perfect example of iambic pentameter, with 10 syllables following the unstressed-stressed pattern, reflecting Romeo’s awestruck moment seeing Juliet |
| So foul and fair a day I have not seen (Macbeth, Act 1, scene 3) | Here, Shakespeare uses regular iambic pentameter to establish Macbeth’s conflicted state, echoing the witches’ earlier paradox “fair is foul, and foul is fair.” |
| To be or not to be; that is the question
(Hamlet, Act 3, scene 1) |
This famous line contains 11 syllables rather than 10, a variation known as a “feminine ending.” It introduces a subtle rhythmic irregularity reflecting Hamlet’s doubt and existential uncertainty. |
| I am now of all humors that have showed themselves humors since the old days of Goodman Adam to the pupil age of this present twelve o’clock at midnight. (Henry IV, Act 2, scene 4) |
Prince Hal (the future King Henry IV) shifts between verse when acting as royalty and prose when engaging in banter with his tavern companions. Here the use of prose reflects his ability to move between worlds. |
Paradise Lost is mainly written in iambic pentameter, giving the poem a serious, formal tone that matches its grand theme—the story of humanity’s fall. At the same time, it creates a pleasing, almost musical flow as it is similar to how we naturally speak in English.
Line 9 (“In the beginning how the heavens and earth”) is a variation of iambic pentameter. The phrase “in the beginning” disrupts the iambic pattern because “beginning” has its stress on the second syllable but has three syllables total. This kind of metrical variation is common in Paradise Lost; Milton often adjusts the strict iambic pattern for emphasis, and here, it highlights the reference to the biblical creation story.
Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste
Brought death into the World, and all our woe,
With loss of Eden, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful seat,
Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the secret top
Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire
That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed
In the beginning how the heavens and earth
Rose out of Chaos: or, if Sion hill
Delight thee more, and Siloa’s brook that flowed
Fast by the oracle of God, I thence
Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song,
That with no middle flight intends to soar.
Why do poets use iambic pentameter?
Poets use iambic pentameter for several reasons:
- Natural rhythm: Iambic pentameter closely resembles the rhythm of spoken English. This makes it pleasing to the ear, even when dealing with “heavy” or complex topics.
- Structure and musicality: The stress pattern of iambic pentameter can be used to emphasize certain words or ideas, while its consistent rhythm makes a poem or dialogue more musical and memorable.
- Versatility and challenge: Writers have to be creative with their word choices and how they arrange their ideas so that they fit their thoughts into this specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. But within these limitations, there is still plenty of room for different styles, tones, and expressions
- Tradition: Iambic pentameter has a rich history in English poetry, introduced by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. Poets often use it to connect with this tradition and the works of literary giants like Shakespeare and Milton.
How to write in iambic pentameter
Writing in iambic pentameter might seem challenging at first, but you can master it by following these steps:
- Understand the basics. Each line in iambic pentameter contains five iambs, meaning it has ten syllables in total. An iamb is a pair of syllables where the first is unstressed and the second is stressed. For example, the word “create” is an iamb because we naturally emphasize the second syllable (“cre-ATE”).
- Start writing lines. Your goal is to create lines that follow the unstressed-stressed pattern (da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM). Remember, iambic pentameter does not need to rhyme—focus on getting the rhythm right first. You can write as much or as little as you like, even a single line.
- Read it aloud. Once you have written a draft, read it aloud. Iambic pentameter has a natural flow that resembles a heartbeat, so listening to the rhythm will help you spot any mistakes in the pattern. If something does not sound right, adjust the words or syllable stresses until the rhythm fits.
- Experiment and edit. Writing in iambic pentameter takes practice. Play around with word choices and sentence structure to find the right balance of meaning and rhythm.
Frequently asked questions about iambic pentameter
- What is an example of iambic pentameter?
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The opening line of Twelfth Night by Shakespeare is an example of iambic pentameter: “If music be the food of love, play on.” It consists of 5 iambs or 5 pairs of syllables with an alternating pattern of an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable.
- What is an unrhymed iambic pentameter?
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An unrhymed iambic pentameter is called “blank verse.” The term describes poems that do not rhyme but follow an iambic pentameter pattern: Each line comprises five pairs of syllables alternating between an unstressed and a stressed syllable. The most famous example of a poem written in blank verse is Paradise Lost by John Milton.
- What is a characteristic of iambic pentameter in Sonnet 29?
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A characteristic of iambic pentameter in Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare is the number and pattern of stressed or accented syllables in most lines. Each line typically contains 10 syllables, alternating between an unstressed and a stressed one. For example, “That then I scorn to change my state with kings.” While most of the sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, there are some variations, including instances of trochaic meter.
