"Hendecasyllable" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Hendecasyllable" Meaning

A hendecasyllable is a type of poetic meter in which each line consists of 11 syllables, usually with a specific pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The most common pattern is 5 iambs (unstressed syllable followed by stressed syllable), which creates a rhythm of da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM. This type of meter is often used in Italian poetry and was popularized by the 13th-century Italian poet Giacomo da Lentini.

"Hendecasyllable" Examples

Hendecasyllable Examples

In classical Latin poetry, the hendecasyllable was a popular meter, often used in love poetry. The poet Catullus wrote a famous collection of hendecasyllables known as the "Carmina". [1]

The Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi wrote several hymns in hendecasyllables, including the famous "A un vincastro critics". [2]

William Shakespeare's sonnets were influenced by the hendecasyllable meter, although he rarely used it exactly. [3]

The Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke used the hendecasyllable meter in some of his Götz von Berlichingen songs. [4]

The British poet Muriel Spark wrote a poem "The Bridal Worry" in hendecasyllables which is considered one of her best works. [5]