What is Iambic Pentameter? Definition and Examples

Iambic Pentameter Literary Definition

First, let’s define iambic pentameter

To understand the iambic pentameter literary definition, we have to first understand its individual parts.

Iamb: An iamb is a metrical unit that combines an unstressed syllable, and a stressed (emphasized) syllable.

Iamb examples: a-BOVE, at-TEMPT, in-LOVE.

Penta: Greek word for “five.”

Meter: Rhythm structure that’s used to keep a pace.

Pentameter: A rhythm structure that’s used to keep a pace of five.

Now let’s combine it all together for our iambic pentameter definition:

Iambic Pentameter Meaning

What does Iambic pentameter mean?

What is iambic pentameter? For as technical as it may sound, its purpose is actually remarkably simple. Think about it this way: iambs mirror the rhythm of a heart beating — da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM — one unstressed syllable, one stressed syllable.

Writers have used iambic poetry for thousands of years to keep the most intrinsic of all paces; our heartbeat (in pairs of five). This next video explores why Shakespeare loved iambic meter.

There’s a reason Shakespeare is considered by many to be the greatest writer of all time. His works are layered with metaphors, subtext, and incredible flow. This particular rhythm was one of his favorite writing tools, and an essential part of many of his best works.

Nowadays, we look back on Shakespeare plays in a historical context, largely trying to make sense of the intricacies of his style. Iambs may be something we intrinsically understand, but they’re not always easy to articulate.

Take Hamlet’s famous quote, “to BE, or NOT, to BE” for example. Let’s watch James Franco as Tommy Wiseau try to properly nail syllabic emphasis.

The full quote “to BE, or NOT to BE, that IS the QUES-tion” contains eleven syllables — one too many to be considered an example of iambic pentameter. The iambs work perfectly in the first part — think da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM — but there’s just one too many in the second part.

What is Iambic Pentameter in Literature?

Iambs all around us

You may be thinking that iambic pentameter is a relic of poems past, but that isn’t true. Although few modern writers structure their works in iambic pentameter, many sprinkle it in now and again for dramatic effect.

Don’t take my word for it, just listen to rapper and Shakespeare scholar Akala explain below:

Some of hip-hop’s most iconic artists, like Jay-Z, Eminem, and Wu-Tang Clan, have used iambs to structure bars. It’s something we all do in conversation to match emphasis to emotion. Think about asking the question: who IS pre-SENT? and how we use linguistic emphasis towards a communicative end. The same is true in writing and rapping.

Remember, iambic poetry is the perfect tool for keeping the rhythm of a heartbeat — ba-DUM, ba-DUM, ba-DUM. This next video explores the various technical aspects of iambic pentameter in further detail.

We’ve gone over how iambs are used by writers, but perhaps it might be useful to consider their opposites. The opposite of an iamb is a trochee — iambs are defined by an unstressed syllable leading directly into a stressed syllable, trochees are defined by a stressed syllable leading into an unstressed syllable.

For example:

Iamb: “a DIME a DOZ-en”

Trochee: “DOUB-le, DOUB-le, TOIL and TROUB-le”

Whereas iambs are emphasized on the second beat, trochees are emphasized on the first.

Here are some famous iambic pentameter examples:

Twelfth Night (William Shakespeare)

If MU-sic BE the FOOD of LOVE, play ON;

Give ME ex-CESS of IT, that, SURF-ei-TING;

The AP-pe-TITE may SICK-en, AND so DIE.

Paradise Lost (John Milton)

Of MAN’S First DI-so-BE-dience, AND the FRUIT

Of THAT For-BI-dden TREE, whose MOR-tal TASTE

Brought DEATH in-TO the WORLD, and ALL our WOE-

Iambic pentameter isn’t a perfect science — accents, dialects, and translations all play a part in how syllables are emphasized. Perhaps that’s one reason why iambs aren’t as popular today as they were back in the days of Shakespeare.

But in terms of flow, we still see the influence of iambs in writing today, whether in pentameter or any other meter.

What is Iambic Pentameter Used For Today?

How to write in iambic pentameter

If you’re wondering how to write in iambic pentameter, consider asking this question instead: what’s the purpose of writing in iambic pentameter? Well, the answer to that question is rather simple — iambic pentameter is an iambic rhythm meter; and its purpose is to keep an “ear-pleasing” rhythm.

Don’t get hung up on pentameter, iambs can be used in a variety of different ways. Using iambic rhythm is something that can help screenwriters keep the pace of dialogue in their movies.

One writer who does a masterful job of pacing dialogue is Noah Baumbach. Let’s take a look at a video essay that explores how he does it:

In many ways, the dialogue in The Meyerowitz Stories is antithetic to Shakespeare. It’s crude and unrefined, but it's used for the exact same purpose: to keep rhythm and pace. Iambic rhythm can be a great tool, but it’s not the only one. Consider experimenting with different writing feet;  iambic, trochaic, or flat. You never know what might make the most sense for your dialogue.

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Iambic pentameter is just one of many literary devices and types of figurative language, including anaphora, repetition, and onomatopoeia. If you're a writer and want to develop your craft fully, do yourself a favor and continue this exploration. The next article on literary devices is a gateway to many of these tools that help add substance and style to any type of written work.

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