The Metrical Tradition

The Metrical Tradition refers to the practice of using specific patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables—called meter—in poetry and song. These patterns create rhythm and structure, guiding how lines are composed and experienced. Different cultures and eras have developed their own meters, such as rhyme schemes or rhythmic cycles, which help poets evoke emotions, emphasize ideas, and create musicality. Essentially, the metrical tradition is the art of shaping language rhythmically to enhance meaning and aesthetic appeal.