06-19-2013, 06:32 AM
(06-18-2013, 10:14 PM)svanhoeven Wrote: I've seen most of these same rules elsewhere too. Not having any textbook, I just Googled it. The reference I've using can be found here, where the examples of substitutions are shown in Shakespeare's sonnets.well, mine are better!! plus I mentioned fem endings.
Quote: Substitutions should be used to add emphasis or add to the reading. Substitutions should NOT be used because the author cannot find an acceptable iamb.
Interesting. I had also read a few places that one should salt their IP with valid substitutions on purpose so that it didn't get monotonous, rather than aiming for a perfect alternation of stresses.
Sometimes the whole thing seems like Jewish dietary laws. If Rabbi Shakespeare had ice cream two hours after a steak, then we can do it too.
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As for varying to break up the rhythm - yes, a skilled writer /does/ use substitutions - deliberately and to add emphasis, meaning and improve the overall reading experience, not because he couldn'y think of an iamb.