what is an iambic pentameter

Iambic pentameter is a type of metric line used in traditional English poetry and verse drama. It is a rhythmic pattern that consists of ten syllables per line, with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables in groups of five. The term "iambic" refers to the type of foot used, which in English indicates an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (as in a-bove), while "pentameter" indicates a line of five "feet". In a line of poetry written in iambic pentameter, there are five sets of stressed syllables and unstressed syllables. Iambic pentameter is the most common meter in English poetry and is used in several major English poetic forms, including blank verse, the heroic couplet, and some of the traditionally rhymed stanza forms. Some famous examples of iambic pentameter include William Shakespeares plays and sonnets, John Milton's Paradise Lost, and William Wordsworth's The Prelude. Writing in iambic pentameter can be a creative challenge, forcing the writer to carefully consider each word and phrase and rearrange them until they fit into the meter. The use of iambic pentameter can create a certain effect or mood in the text, such as formality, grandeur, or even playfulness, depending on how it is used.