Sapphic stanza

The Sapphic stanza is a poetic form spanning 4 lines. While Sappho used several metrical forms for her poetry, she is most famous for the Sapphic stanza. It is not clear if she created it or if it was already part of the Aeolic tradition. Her countryman Alcaeus uses the Sapphic stanza; Sappho does not use the Alcaic.

Related Topics:
Poet - Sappho - Metrical forms - Alcaeus

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The form is three hendecasyllabic lines of trochee, trochee, dactyl, trochee, trochee and a concluding line of dactyl, trochee, known as the Adonic or adonean line.

Related Topics:
Hendecasyllabic - Trochee - Dactyl - Adonic - Adonean

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Using "-" for a long syllable, "u" for a short and "x" for an "anceps" or free syllable):

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