Metre: GCSE English Definition

What is metre?

In GCSE English Literature, metre refers to the rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables within a line of poetry. This pattern is often referred to as containing "feet", and each of these feet is made up of either stressed (emphasised) and/or unstressed (not emphasised) syllables.

Why do poets use metre?

Poets use metre to create a rhythmic pattern in their poems. This can help structure a poem, or add meaning or emphasis to particular words. For example, poets will often consciously choose the words that are stressed (emphasised) in a line of poetry, or sometimes change their metre mid-way through a poem to convey a specific meaning, or to signify a contrast.

Example of metre

Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem 'Ozymandias' is largely written in iambic pentameter, which is a type of metre. This means that each line has 10 syllables — five "feet" of two syllables, the first syllable unstressed and the second stressed (stressed syllables highlighted below):

"Half sunk / a shatt / ered vis / age lies, / whose frown"

However, Shelley also purposely uses a different metre when referencing how Ozymandias saw himself (as "King of Kings"); in this line the metre goes beyond five feet to six. This could reflect Ozymandias' arrogance: his ego literally doesn't fit the metrical pattern on this line.

Revision resources to ace your exams

Learn how to explore a poet's use of metre by using our detailed GCSE revision notes.

GCSE English Literature Revision Notes

For more literary techniques, check out our list of 127 top literary devices, complete with student-friendly definitions.