About this Video

• Video Title: What is Meter in Poetry? A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers
• Channel: OSU School of Writing, Literature and Film
• Speakers: (Not explicitly named in the transcript)
• Duration: 00:06:11

Introduction

This video provides a literary guide to understanding poetic meter for English students and teachers. It uses analogies and examples to explain different metrical feet (iamb, trochee, anapest, dactyl) and how their presence (or absence) contributes to a poem's interpretation.

Key Takeaways

• Identifying Metrical Feet: The video explains four common metrical feet: iamb (unstressed/stressed), trochee (stressed/unstressed), anapest (unstressed/unstressed/stressed), and dactyl (stressed/unstressed/unstressed).
• Recognizing Meter: Understanding metrical feet allows for a more natural and accurate reading of poetry. The video demonstrates this by contrasting correct and incorrect readings of lines from Shakespeare and Poe.
• Meter and Interpretation: The video suggests that analyzing where a poem deviates from its established meter can provide valuable insights into its meaning and interpretation. The example of John Milton's "Paradise Lost" is used to illustrate this point.
• Examples across Genres: The video uses examples from various genres, including sonnets, epic poems (Homer, Longfellow), and rap lyrics (Migos), demonstrating the universality of metrical patterns.
• Practical Application: The video encourages viewers to identify the dominant meter in a poem and then look for deviations to understand their significance in interpretation.

Yes, this video is appropriate for a high school class of beginner poets. The video uses clear and simple language, relatable examples (like comparing meter to eyeglass prescriptions), and breaks down complex concepts into manageable parts. The examples from different genres (Shakespeare, Poe, rap music) also make it engaging for teenagers. The final point about using metrical disruptions for interpretation is a slightly more advanced concept, but it is presented in a way that is accessible and thought-provoking, encouraging further exploration.