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Molossic 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 foot with a molossus (three long syllables) for ponderous, weighty emphasis.

Detailed Definition
Molossic substitution inserts triple-long feet into lighter meters, creating gravity in Latin epics like Virgil's Aeneid. It amplifies solemnity; in heroic verse, it highlights fateful moments, allowing poets to weigh themes of duty with rhythmic heft.
Example
Example in poetry:
Molossic substitution replaces a foot with a molossus (/ / /), as in "The wind, it blows" (molossic substitution); "The stars, they shine" (molossic); "The fire, it burns" (molossic substitution); "The bells, they ring" (molossic); "The river, flows" (molossic substitution); "The moon, it rises" (molossic).
Additional Notes
Molossic substitution inserts a molossus (– – –), three long syllables, to convey heaviness, doom, or finality; though rare in English, it appears in solemn or funereal contexts to slow and darken rhythm.
Also Known As
Molossus substitution triple long substitution
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