Alliterative Verse · English Literature

Which of the following best describes the meter of Old English alliterative verse?

  1. Syllabic and quantitative in nature
  2. Accentual and stress-based
  3. Strictly iambic pentameter throughout
  4. Organized by overall rhyme length
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Correct answer: Accentual and stress-based

Old English meter is accentual, meaning it depends on stressed syllables. The number of unstressed syllables may vary.

Difficulty: Medium Question 15 of 20

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