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GCSE English Literature · key term
A metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas
Paper 2
Revise: The Charge of the Light BrigadeA dactyl has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables: hear the pattern in ‘HALF a league’. The first line repeats that unit twice, producing dactylic dimeter. This falling, repeated beat suggests the gallop of horses.
A metrical unit consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables, creating a falling, three-syllable rhythm.
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Paper 2
A metrical unit consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.
Revise: The Charge of the Light BrigadeThe rhythm is strongly dactylic: a dactyl has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables. In the opening, the pattern can be heard as HALF a league | HALF a league. The falling beat resembles the movement of galloping horses and gives the short lines energy and urgency.
Component 2
A metrical foot consisting of a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables, producing a triple rhythm when repeated.
