málaháttr

Málaháttr is a poetic meter found in Old Norse skaldic poetry. It is one of the most common meters used in this tradition. The name itself, "málaháttr," translates roughly to "speech meter" or "measure of speech," suggesting its natural, conversational flow. Structurally, málaháttr consists of six-syllable lines. Each line is divided into two half-lines, separated by a caesura. The meter is characterized by a specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Within each half-line, there are typically two stressed syllables. Alliteration is a crucial feature of skaldic verse, and in málaháttr, at least one stressed syllable in the second half-line must alliterate with one or more stressed syllables in the first half-line. End rhyme is generally absent in málaháttr, with the focus instead on internal assonance and the alliterative pattern. This meter is found in a wide range of skaldic poetry, including historical poems, eulogies, and mythological narratives. Its regularity and adaptability made it a favored choice for poets composing for performance and recitation.