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Dochmiac pentameter

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 pentameter line composed of five dochmiac feet—a highly irregular, emotionally charged meter used in Greek tragedy for moments of crisis.

Detailed Definition
Dochmiac pentameter is a line composed of five dochmiac feet, resulting in a turbulent, asymmetrical rhythm of approximately 15–20 syllables; virtually nonexistent in English poetry, it appears in translations or avant-garde works attempting to replicate the frenetic energy of Greek choral odes expressing grief, terror, or divine frenzy.
Example
Example in poetry:
Dochmiac pentameter: Five dochmiac feet (ᴗ – – ᴗ –), as in Greek tragedy fragments: “O fate, why strike so cruelly?” (rhythm of agitation).
Additional Notes
Five-foot line using dochmiac feet. Extremely rare, especially in English. Creates agitated, irregular rhythm appropriate to emotional intensity. Experimental classical revival form.
Also Known As
Dochmiac five-measure Agitated pentameter Excited five-foot line Passionate five-beat verse
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