What does meter measure in a poem? [British Poetry (2018-19) Assignment 1]

In poetry, meter refers to the rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse. Meter is created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line, and it helps to give a poem its characteristic rhythm.

The basic unit of meter in poetry is the foot, which is a group of two or three syllables that are arranged in a specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. The most common type of foot in English poetry is the iamb, which consists of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable (e.g., "to-DAY"). Other common types of feet include the trochee (one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable), the anapest (two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable), and the dactyl (one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables).

When a poem has a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, it is said to have a specific meter. The most common meters in English poetry are iambic pentameter (five iambs per line), which is used in many of Shakespeare's sonnets and plays, and iambic tetrameter (four iambs per line), which is used in many ballads and hymns.

Meter is an important element of poetic form, and it can have a significant impact on the meaning and effect of a poem. For example, a poem with a regular, steady meter might convey a sense of stability or calmness, while a poem with an irregular, unpredictable meter might create a sense of tension or unease. Meter can also help to emphasize certain words or ideas within a poem, and it can contribute to the overall musicality and beauty of the language.