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Spondaic meter

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 pattern dominated by spondees—feet with two stressed syllables—imparting a slow, emphatic, or ceremonial rhythm often used for gravitas or intensity.

Detailed Definition
Spondaic meter is a rhythmic pattern in poetry where each foot consists of two stressed syllables (a spondee), creating a heavy, pounding cadence; though rarely sustained throughout a poem, it appears strategically to emphasize key moments, convey solemnity, or disrupt regular metrical flow for expressive effect.
Example
Example in poetry:
Spondaic meter: "Break, break, break" (Tennyson) opens with spondees mimicking waves; Milton’s "Samson Agonistes": "Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves"; Hopkins’ "The Windhover": "Brute beauty and valour and act" uses spondaic clusters; Modern example: "Heavy metal thunder" (Bruce Springsteen) shows spondaic rock rhythm
Additional Notes
Based on spondees (two stressed syllables); creates slow, emphatic, weighty rhythm. Rarely sustained; usually alternates with other feet. Effective for gravitas, solemnity. Compare with trochaic/iambic meters.
Also Known As
double stress heavy foot
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