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Metrical substitution

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

Replacing a typical metrical foot with a different one for variation.

Detailed Definition
Metrical substitution replaces a standard foot in a line with a different metrical unit (e.g., a trochee in an iambic line) to avoid monotony or highlight key words; this common technique adds rhythmic vitality while preserving overall metrical identity.
Example
Example in poetry:
Replacing the first iamb (da-DUM) of an iambic pentameter line with a trochee (DUM-da), known as trochaic substitution or initial inversion; Substituting a spondee (DUM-DUM) for an iamb (da-DUM) to add weight or emphasis: 'BRIGHT STAR, would I were stedfast as thou art'; Inserting a pyrrhic foot (da-da) in place of an iamb for lightness or speed; Replacing a dactyl (DUM-da-da) with a spondee (DUM-DUM) or trochee (DUM-da) in Greek/Latin classical meters.
Additional Notes
The replacement of one type of metrical foot with another in a line of verse while maintaining the overall number of feet; used to add rhythmic variety and avoid monotony; common in iambic verse (e.g., substituting a trochee).
Also Known As
Substituted meter metrical replacement verse substitution Anaclasis Substitution
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