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Ithyphallic tetrameter

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 four-foot line of ithyphallics (three long syllables per foot)

Detailed Definition
Ithyphallic tetrameter consists of four consecutive ithyphallic feet (– – –), yielding a heavily stressed, pounding rhythm associated with ancient fertility rites or Dionysian ecstasy; its relentless spondaic drive makes it exceptionally rare in post-classical poetry due to its metrical density.
Example
Example in poetry:
Ithyphallic tetrameter: Four-foot line of three long syllables each, evoking ritual energy; example: "Thunder god with flaming spear, / Marching through the storm so near, / Shaking earth and sky with cheer, / Driving doubt and dread to rear."
Additional Notes
Four ithyphallic feet per line. Trochaic with special ending pattern. Creates strong, marching rhythm with variation. Classical meter rare in English. Compare with pure trochaic tetrameter.
Also Known As
Phallic tetrameter Upright four-foot Ritual standard line Procession tetrameter
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