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Aeolian cadence

Sound
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A rhythmic cadence in poetry that mimics the fluid, whispering, or sweeping qualities of wind, often through assonance and flowing meter.

Detailed Definition
Aeolian cadence describes a soft, wind-like melodic resolution in verse, often achieved through sibilant sounds, open vowels, and fluid enjambment that mimics the sighing or whispering of the wind; named after Aeolus, Greek god of winds, it evokes natural ephemerality and is common in pastoral or lyrical poetry seeking ethereal tonality.
Example
Example in poetry:
An Aeolian cadence ends a line with a soft, wind-like fading, often through liquid consonants or open vowels, as in Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind”: “Be thou, Spirit fierce, / My spirit! Be thou me, impetuous one!”
Additional Notes
Judging poem by emotional effect rather than formal achievement. New Critics warned against this. Poem's meaning ≠ reader's feelings. Consider both craft AND response, but distinguish them.
Also Known As
Wind harp cadence Aeolian ending Natural music close Aeolic rhythm
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