Dactylic hexameter

Dactylic hexameter is a form of meter in poetry or a rhythmic scheme. It is traditionally associated with classical epic poetry, both Greek and Latin, such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and Virgil's Aeneid.

Related Topics:
Hexameter - Meter - Epic - Greek - Latin - Homer - Iliad - Odyssey - Virgil - Aeneid

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A dactyl is a collection of three syllables, the first long, the other two short; thus, the ideal line of dactylic hexameter consists of six (hexa) metrons or feet, each of which is dactyllic. Typically, however, the last foot of the line is not a real dactyl, but rather a two-syllable spondee or trochee, i.e. the penultimate syllable is always long, the final syllable either long or short (such a syllable with optional stress is known as an anceps syllable).

Related Topics:
Dactyl - Spondee - Trochee - Anceps

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In reality, it is difficult to arrange words in this meter, so poets may replace dactyls by spondees, which are feet with two long syllables. Traditionally, the fifth foot in a line is very often a real dactyl. About one line in 20 of Homer has a spondee in the fifth foot, and such a line is called "spondaic."

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Accordingly, a line of dactylic hexameter can be diagrammed as follows. Note that - is a long syllable, u a short syllable, and U either one long or two shorts:

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:- U | - U | - U | - U | - u u | - -

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For example:

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: Down in a | deep dark | hole sat an | old pig | munching a | bean stalk

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The "foot" is often compared to a musical measure and the long and short syllables to half notes (minims) and quarter notes (crotchets), respectively.

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Excessive use of spondees can make the sound oppressive. Cicero's line

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:O for|tuna|tam na|tam me| consule | Romam

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:("how fortunate to be born during my Roman consulship")

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has five spondees – only consule is a dactyl – and damned him as a poet.

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