Poetry Metrics explores a fascinating intersection: using objective measurements to analyze the subjective art of poetry.
It argues that applying metrics enhances our understanding of poetic structure, rhythm, and form.
For instance, the book examines how different metrical patterns, like iambic pentameter, create distinct effects.
By understanding elements like scansion and poetic devices, readers can move beyond subjective interpretations and gain a more nuanced appreciation of a poem's artistry.
The book progresses systematically, beginning with foundational concepts like meter and poetic devices, before delving into specific metrical patterns and structural forms such as sonnets.
It presents close readings of both classic and contemporary poems, supported by quantitative analyses of syllable counts and stress patterns.
A key insight is that metrics provide a valuable toolkit for literary criticism, complementing traditional methods.
This approach offers students, educators, and scholars a rigorous framework for poetic analysis.
