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Anaclastic hexameter

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 hexameter line where metrical substitution creates syncopated or reversed stress patterns

Detailed Definition
Anaclastic hexameter is a metrical line where the normal dactylic rhythm is disrupted by substitution or inversion, particularly through the "anaclasis" (metrical reversal) of ionic or aeolic elements; it introduces rhythmic surprise and expressive tension, found in experimental or archaic Greek and Latin verse.
Example
Example in poetry:
Anaclastic hexameter incorporates anaclasis within a six-foot line; in Greek poetry, a dactylic hexameter might invert feet for emphasis, though rare in English adaptations.
Additional Notes
Hexameter employing anaclasis (syllable exchange within feet). Rare classical variation. Related to dactylic hexameter variants. Creates subtle rhythmic disruption. Advanced prosodic study in quantitative meters.
Also Known As
Inverted hexameter Substituted six-foot Rearranged hexameter
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