But she is in her grave, and, oh, (Wordsworth, “She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways”) Which statements describe the use of meter
in the line above? Select all that apply. The meter is iambic pentameter.
It emphasizes the most important words in the line by placing stress on them.
It imitates the sound of sobbing by placing the stress at the start of each line.
The meter is trochaic hexameter.
It emphasizes the most important words in the line by placing stress on them.
Explanation:
This sentence follows a metric called "iambic pentameter", the name is strange but the effect is simple, organic. The metric, the rhythm of the words in each verse, is constructed with groups of syllables called "feet." In the "iambic" foot each of these groups is an "iambo", a unit of brief time, a weak sound, followed by another long, a strong sound, like heart beats, tumTUM, tumTUM. This highlights the most important words in the line putting emphasis on them and creating a pleasant sound while reading.
