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Aeolic line

Meter
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 single verse line adhering to Aeolic metrical principles, often featuring choriambi or glyconics within classical strophic patterns.

Detailed Definition
Any verse line following Aeolic prosodic principles, characterized by flexible mixing of long and short syllables in patterns including choriambs, glyconics, and other measures from the Greek Aeolic tradition associated with Sappho and Alcaeus. Aeolic lines emphasize musical grace and rhythmic fluidity over strict metrical regularity, creating varied but coherent rhythmic structures. These lines privilege melodic flow and allow significant variation within established patterns, distinguishing them from more rigid iambic or dactylic systems.
Example
Example in poetry:
Sappho’s Fragment 1 (“Immortal Aphrodite...”) uses Aeolic line with glyconic meter (x x – u u – u –); Alcaeus’ political verse employs Aeolic lines with choriambic core; H.D.’s “Sappho-inspired lyrics” mimic Aeolic line’s brevity and intensity; the Aeolic line typically features a choriamb (– u u –) surrounded by variable syllables; it’s designed for lyre accompaniment and personal address; modern poets use it to evoke ancient intimacy and musicality.
Additional Notes
Aeolic line refers broadly to verse in the meters of ancient Aeolian Greek poets like Sappho and Alcaeus—characterized by dactylic-trochaic mixtures and emotional intensity.
Also Known As
Aeolic line of verse Aeolic rhythm Aeolic poetic form Aeolic stich
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