Aspects of literary style: rhythm

Aspects of literary style: rhythm

Rhythm in the Iliad

Hexameter Structure

• The Iliad is composed in dactylic hexameter, which is a line of verse consisting of six poetic feet, each containing either a long syllable followed by two short (a dactyl), or two long syllables (a spondee).
• The rhythm created by this metre sets an epic pace that mirrors the grand subject matter and scale of the poem.

Enjambment

• In The Iliad, enjambment (the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of the line, couplet, or stanza) is frequently used.
• This technique allows for lines to flow smoothly into one another, enhancing the rhythm and continuity of the narrative.

Variation in Metre

• Homer introduces metrical variations within the framework of dactylic hexameter.
• These variations include the use of trisyllabic (three syllables) substitutions and anacrusis (extra opening syllables).
• Such changes in metre serve to highlight key moments in the narrative and give dynamism to the sprawling epic.

Caesura

• Frequently in The Iliad, there is a pause near the middle of the line, known as caesura.
• This deliberate pause disrupts the rhythms and gives the epic its characteristic balance and measured pace.

Diction and Rhythm

• Homer’s choice of words, particularly his use of formulaic phrases and epithets, perfectly fits the rhythmic pattern of dactylic hexameter.
• For instance, epithets like “swift-footed Achilles” or “white-armed Hera” fill out the metre and contribute to the poem’s natural cadence.

Rhythmic Effects

• The regulated rhythm of The Iliad both maintains coherence in the narrative and sets an atmospheric mood.
• Also, the rhythm works to regulate the audience’s emotions, leading them through suspense, pathos, exultation and other feelings evoked by the unfolding epic.