metricoche

Metricoche is a term that combines "metric" and "metricoche," referring to a type of poetry that adheres strictly to the rules of metric verse. The term was coined by the French poet Arthur Rimbaud in his essay "Le vers libre" (The Free Verse), where he contrasted the rigid structure of metric poetry with the more flexible and naturalistic approach of free verse. Metricoche poetry is characterized by its adherence to specific metrical patterns, such as iambic pentameter, trochaic tetrameter, or other classical meters. These patterns are defined by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables within each line, creating a rhythmic and musical quality. The use of rhyme, while not always mandatory, is also a common feature in metricoche poetry. Examples of metricoche poets include William Shakespeare, John Milton, and John Keats, whose works are renowned for their adherence to classical metrical forms. Despite the constraints of metricoche, it has been a significant influence on the development of poetry, shaping the literary traditions of Western civilization.