Scansion Scansion

Latin poetry is formed upon its quantity – not of verses, but of syllables. Latin poetry is formed upon its quantity – not of verses, but of syllables.

Syllables are defined as: a vowel / diphthong Syllables are defined as: a vowel / diphthong *consonants are auxiliary *consonants are auxiliary

Scanning a Line Scanning a Line To scan a line means to break it up by syllables into feet to create meter. To scan a line means to break it up by syllables into feet to create meter.

Rule #1: Every syllable MUST have one vowel or diphthong! Rule #1: Every syllable MUST have one vowel or diphthong! Rule #2: The consonant goes with the vowel that follows it! Rule #2: The consonant goes with the vowel that follows it!

Once you have determined the syllables, mark all syllables as long or short: Once you have determined the syllables, mark all syllables as long or short: -a syllable is long if : a. it is long by nature -a syllable is long if : a. it is long by nature -ie. Diphthongs -ie. Diphthongs b. it is long by position c. it is long by position -all syllables ending in a consonant -all syllables ending in a consonant are long are long

Long and short syllables combine to make Feet: Long and short syllables combine to make Feet: - iamb: ˘ ¯ - iamb: ˘ ¯ - trochee: ¯ ˘ - trochee: ¯ ˘ - dactyl: ¯ ˘ ˘ - dactyl: ¯ ˘ ˘ - spondee: ¯¯ - spondee: ¯¯

Feet combine to form a Meter: Feet combine to form a Meter: -ie. Trimeter has 3 feet -ie. Trimeter has 3 feet Pentameter has 5 feet Pentameter has 5 feet Hexameter has 6 feet Hexameter has 6 feet

One common Latin meter is dactylic hexameter: One common Latin meter is dactylic hexameter: -6 feet to a line -6 feet to a line -the feet are a combination of dactyls and spondees -the feet are a combination of dactyls and spondees -the 5th foot MUST be a dactyl! -the 5th foot MUST be a dactyl! -ie. Virgil’s Aeneid -ie. Virgil’s Aeneid