Iambic Pentameter

Traditional poetry is written in METER, wherein the words in any given line are read/heard in syllable groups called 'feet'. An IAMB is a foot containing one un-emphasized syllable, followed by a second emphasized (or 'stressed') syllable. PENTA is the Greek prefix for five. The phrase IAMBIC PENTAMETER refers to a poetic format in which each line contains five iambic pairs (individually, ten alternating UN-STRESSED and STRESSED syllables). The result is a distinct but pleasant pattern that might be compared to the sound of someone (or someTHING!) walking with a slightly uneven gait: ... step-STEP... step-STEP... step-STEP... †††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† An 'iamb' is a pair of syllables that sound like zombies coming down the street; First, one soft step and next, a step that PULLS. (You'll know when one's around just by it's feet) 'Pentameter' is bound to stop them then - It's found to top their footsteps off at ten! ††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††