(Writing)Stressed? Unstressed?

[Castellan]

Despite the fact that Shakespeare made it look easy, English is one of the hardest languages to write poetry in.

Actually, you should find iambic pentameter to very closely mimic natural speech. I can tick off my friends pretty quickly by speaking in iambic pentameter. Once you've got the hang of it, it's pretty easy.

The most important rule that Shakespeare learned about this form of poetry is "learn when to break the rules." If you strictly adhere to the meter and apply syllables where they "sound good," you're going to miss a lot.

Step 1. Write out what you want to say.
Step 2. Write it again, with only ten syllables.
Step 3. Aim for the iamb, but don't be anal. Use metaphor/simile to make it fit better.

In the case of epic poetry like "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," you'll also find a bob-and-wheel at the end of a stanza that makes the ending of that stanza obvious. Do a Google search on bob-and-wheel and you should be in good shape.

<ob poetry>
An epic not unlike the one you seek
Can flow from tongue to keyboard without pain.
Remember not to overdo it, though.
For ENWorlders are a fickle lot
    to please.
  Our faith in you is true:
  The words shall come with ease.
  A comedy from you
  With eagerness we'll seize.
</ob poetry>

 

[Hypersmurf]

... but realised that I do not understand the concept of what makes a syllable stressed or unstressed. Can anyone help me out?

Examples are an easy way to teach.
Just read the words aloud (or in your head),
and feel the way the stresses rise and fall.
Pentameter has five feet to a line,
In Iambic (as has been said), they are 'Iambs'.
weak strong, weak strong, weak strong, weak strong, weak strong;
It's simple once the rhythm starts to flow.
The rules, of course, are used more as a guide;
the meter can be bent or even broken*.

-Hyp.

* Note the extrametrical syllable in the last line; falling outside the strict technical definition of iambic pentameter, but an acceptable deviation.

 

[barsoomcore]

The book to read on the subject is Poetic Meter and Poetic Form, by Paul Fussell. Dr. Fussell explains everything.

Why that book is not required reading for all high school English students, I'll never know.