Iambic pentameter

The term "Iambic pentameter" may sound strange and intimidating, but it really isn't that complicated. Learn about what it is and how to write it. Iambic pentameter is used in sonnet writing and blank verse. Try it and see what this time-tested rhythm can do for your poems.

I used material from my sonnet video. Check that one out too!

[darurca]

This is a beautiful and useful video. You've changed completely the way I understand English now. Thanks!

[verquanrichardson]

Finally, someone who explained it well. Thank you so much.

[MorganHill-vz]

I am a homeschooled 10th grader. I am currently learning about rhyme, verse, meters, poetic devices, sonnets, spondees, etc. I love my language arts curriculum but I was lost learning about these because I feel that this is something I need to hear someone explain. Thank you for this!

[faville]

It would be interesting to hear a Shakespeare play where everyone spoke the pentameter with those actual stresses all the time. The challenge for me in identifying iambic pentameter is that actors and readers hide it well so it sounds like natural speech. As you say at 1:20, English has rhythm (as does any language), but even the way you say the line does not have the ba-DUM heartbeat rhythm. You can certainly parse the syllables out into 5 groups of two, but they still flow differently than a heartbeat. If you were to make a direct musical transcription of the lines they wouldn’t fit into the rhythm or stress patterns described.
Still, thank you for a very helpful explanation of iambic pentameter because I have always struggled to tell what it is, even as a reader who has had to read a few Shakespeare plays.

[deborahhoward]

Thank you Mr. Johnson. My Medieval British Writers teacher from way back in the 80's.

[rhiannonwillow]

1:57 wait wait wait is this what David Lynch did to the speech of the Black Lodge denizen? That second flipped pronunciation sounded exactly like I was in the red room.

[rizzfullest]

dont think i didnt notice the "Shaquille" at 0:29 🤣thx for help

[JerkWarlord]

THE INTRO BACKGROUND SOUND IN THE FIRST FIVE SECONDS

WHERE HAVE I HEARD IT?! Oh that's gonna bug me for ages

[baileywalker]

My teacher told me to watch this for a assignment

[keithkeith]

Not trying to be difficult; a simple question: if English has a natural rhythm to it, then how come we would have to keep fiddling with words to make them fit iambic patemeter? It would seem that if English had a natural rhythm, we would have to manipulate the words to. NOT sound rhythmic. Looking forward to your response. And thanks again for posting your explanation.

[AlexPanda]

Like, I get it now. But I also get why I didn't understand it in school. No hard rules makes it annoying.

[justinveldhuizen]

It just sounded French when he decided to stress the opposite syllables

[bakerrboyywoo]

Seeing the opposite stress on that sentence with the cat eating casserole was an awesome demonstration of having to train yourself to hear the pattern - because Ill be honest, Iambic Pentameter spoken normally really does sound like normal speech.. but the inverse was horribly out of tone!

[cruiser]

My teacher told me to watch this for 100 times