Lesson 14.3: Scanning the First Verse

Now that we know the basic rules for dactylic hexameter, let us scan the first verse of the Iliad.

We could scan the verse based on knowing the length of syllables for each word, but that would require much memorization. We shall approach scanning via a process of elimination.

First, we will need to break the verse up into syllables. Word division is ignored, and consonants will always be pronounced with the vowel that follows it, even if the vowel is in the next word. Write out each syllable on a sheet of paper.

Now we shall go syllable by syllable and mark whether each one is long or short. If we are not able to determine right away if a syllable is long or short, we shall come back to it after we mark the syllables we know with certainty. Write out a macron [ ¯ ] over long syllables and a breve [ ˘ ] over short syllables. For the moment we won't put any markings over the doubtful vowels (α, ι, and υ).

1. Μῆ is long because η is always long. Macron.
2. νι can be either long or short because ι is either long or short. No marking yet.
3. νἄ can be either long or short because α is either long or short. No marking yet.
4. ει is long because it is a diphthong. Macron.
5. δε is short because ε is always short. Breve.
6. θε is short because ε is always short. Breve.
7. ά can be either long or short because α is either long or short. No marking yet.
8. Πη is long because η is always long. Macron.
9. λη is long because η is always long. Macron.
10. ι can be either long or short because ι is either long or short. No marking yet.
11. ά can be either long or short because α is either long or short. No marking yet.
12. δεω looks like two syllables but contracts to sound like δω, which is long because ω is always long. Macron.
13. Ἀ can be either long or short because α is either long or short. No marking yet.
14. χι ι can be either long or short because ι is either long or short. No marking yet.
15. λῆ is long because it is the penultimate syllable. Macron
16. ος is long because it is the final syllable. Macron

Let us look at the first line now with the markings we have thus far.

The | show the divisions of each measure or foot. Recall that there are only two types of patterns:

• dactyl [ ¯ ˘ ˘ ]
• spondee [ ¯ ¯ ]

Also remember that there are only six measures to a verse.

The last measure is always a spondee. Towards the beginning of the verse we can see a dactyl, so we mark off that measure.

Now we have enough information to identify the rest of the syllables.

1. Μῆ νι νἄ must be a dactyl, because that is the only pattern that fits for the first three syllables.
2. ει δε θε is a dactyl.
3. ά Πη must be a spondee, because every measure begins with a long syllable.

We have marked off four measure and we have six syllables left.

The only pattern that fits with the remaining syllables is a dactyl. We need two of them. Finally, the first verse looks like this: