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Displaced caesura

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 pause or break shifted from its typical position within a metrical line for rhythmic variation.

Detailed Definition
Displaced caesura moves the mid-line break away from standard spots, altering flow in blank verse for dramatic emphasis. In Dryden's translations, it heightens tension; poets use it to mirror psychological shifts, enhancing narrative subtlety in plays or epics where irregular pauses reflect character turmoil or scenic changes.
Example
Example in poetry:
Displaced caesura shifts the pause within a line, as in "The wind — it blows — through silent trees" (caesura displaced); "The stars — they shine — in midnight sky" (displaced caesura); "The fire — it burns — with golden glow" (caesura shifted); "The bells — they ring — in evening air" (displaced); "The river — flows — with quiet grace" (caesura displaced); "The heart — it beats — with love’s command" (displaced caesura).
Additional Notes
Displaced caesura shifts the expected pause point within a metrical line (e.g., from mid-line to near-end), disrupting predictability; this technique varies rhythm and draws attention to specific phrases, enhancing interpretive depth.
Also Known As
Caesura shift irregular caesura
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