Browning - Loose Iambic/Iambic Tetrameter (1 Viewer)

neo o

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Can anyone explain to me the signifigance of the usage of Loose Iambic or Iambic Tetrameter in Browning's Parting at Morning and Meeting at Night?

My notes mention something about iambs etc, but i can't get my head around exactly what they do, apart from creating the rhyme etc.

If anyone could help id appreciate it, thanks!:)

Meeting at Night

I

1The grey sea and the long black land;
2And the yellow half-moon large and low;
3And the startled little waves that leap
4In fiery ringlets from their sleep,
5As I gain the cove with pushing prow,
6And quench its speed i' the slushy sand.

II

7Then a mile of warm sea-scented beach;
8Three fields to cross till a farm appears;
9A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch
10And blue spurt of a lighted match,
11And a voice less loud, thro' its joys and fears,
12Than the two hearts beating each to each!

Parting at Morning

I

1Round the cape of a sudden came the sea,
2And the sun look'd over the mountain's rim:
3And straight was a path of gold for him,
4And the need of a world of men for me.
 

braindrainedAsh

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I felt that it gave the rhythm of the a heartbeat to the poem, keeping it pacey and showing the excitement of the lover.... beating heart=love/passion....

Just what I feel it may be.
 

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