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Spondaic expansion

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 metrical expansion technique that lengthens the spondee (two consecutive stressed syllables) by adding additional stressed or long syllables, creating an even more emphatic, weighty rhythm that intensifies the slow, forceful quality of the meter.

Detailed Definition
Spondaic expansion adds to heaviness, for ponderous depth. It weighs more; in elegies, it prolongs grief, deepening lament.
Example
Example in poetry:
Spondaic expansion adds syllables to a spondaic base, as in "Heart and soul endure" (expanded spondee); "Night and storm descend" (spondaic expansion); "Fire and flame consume" (lengthened spondaic); "War and peace collide" (expanded spondee); "Truth and lie entwine" (spondaic expansion); "Life and death embrace" (expanded spondaic structure).
Additional Notes
Spondaic expansion extends the spondee (– –) by adding extra long or stressed syllables, amplifying its ponderous, resonant quality; this elongation enhances gravitas and is effective in ceremonial poetry, dirges, or passages aiming for monumental tone.
Also Known As
Extended spondee lengthened spondaic foot
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