Christopher Aruffo, MFA, MBA, MSc, PhD



A Rational Guide to Verse

or, Scansion Made Simple



 

Step Four:  Find and fix inequalities

Repairing inequality is the real work of metrical analysis.  To produce rhythm, every foot requires one long syllable and one or two short.  When syllables do not exactly fit their space, rhythm is disrupted.  You must find and fix every unequal foot and every unequal line.

There are three basic problems of inequality:

1.  Too many syllables.
2.  Not enough syllables.
3.  The right number of syllables, but in the wrong order.

The resolutions are all listed in Step Four.  Keep this guide handy as you practice your analysis.  When you encounter a problem line, refer to the relevant resolution here and remind yourself how to fix it.  The more you practice, the better you will recall how to resolve each problem.

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