Notes on Iambic Pentameter

pentameter: five feet
(foot: one stressed syllable plus one or more unstressed syllables in a repeating pattern)

iambic: an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable

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Sample iambic words:

˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´
belief	arise	defend	prepare	conceive

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Sample iambic pentameter lines:

We mourn in black, why mourn we not in blood? (1 Henry VI 1.1.17)

˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´
We mourn	in black	why mourn	we not	in blood?

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My child is yet a stranger in the world. (Romeo & Juliet 1.2.8)

˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´
My child	is yet	a strang	er in	the world

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But soft, methinks I scent the morning air. (Hamlet 1.5.58)

˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´
But soft,	methinks	I scent	the morn	ing air

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Two Common Iambic Variations

Feminine Ending: The line ends with an extra, unstressed syllable.

Or say ’tis not your seal, not your invention (Twelfth Night 5.1.327)

˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´ ˘
Or say	’tis not	your seal,	not your	invention

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In night and on the court and guard of safety (Othello 2.3.205)

˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´ ˘
In night	and on	the court	and guard	of safety

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Initial Stressed Syllable: The line begins with a single, stressed syllable followed by an anapestic foot (two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable: ˘ ˘ ´).

Now is the winter of our discontent (Richard III 1.1.1)

´	˘ ˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´
Now	is the win	ter of	our dis	content

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Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, (The Merchant of Venice 3.2.99)

´	˘ ˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´	˘ ´
Veil	ing an In	dian beau	ty; in	a word,

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