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Alcaic eleven-syllable

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

The standard eleven-syllable line in classical Alcaic stanzas, typically structured with a specific pattern of long and short syllables.

Detailed Definition
Alcaic eleven-syllable|A verse line containing eleven syllables arranged according to the Alcaic metrical pattern, part of the Alcaic stanza structure named after Greek poet Alcaeus. This line typically follows the pattern of an iamb or trochee followed by a long syllable and then a choriamb, creating distinctive rhythm. The eleven-syllable Alcaic line provides substantial space for complex phrasing while maintaining classical metrical discipline. This length allows balanced expression while the Alcaic pattern creates musical grace.
Example
Example in poetry:
Horace’s Odes I.3 (“Illi robur et aes triplex”) uses Alcaic eleven-syllable lines; Sappho’s fragments adapted by Latin poets into Alcaic meter; Ezra Pound’s “Alcaics” (“Be in me as the eternal mow...”) modernizes the form; A.E. Stallings’ “Sestina: Like” incorporates Alcaic eleven-syllable lines within sestina structure; this line typically scans: – u – – / – u u – / – u –; it balances stately rhythm with lyrical flexibility.
Additional Notes
Alcaic eleven-syllable line is the first line of the classical Alcaic stanza, typically dactylic; English adaptations approximate its rhythm rather than strict syllable count.
Also Known As
Alcaic hendecasyllable Eleven-syllable Alcaic line Long Alcaic measure
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