The Concepts of “Verse”, “Meter” and “Rhythm” in Russian Verse Theory

Abstract

This article examines definitions of verse and descriptions of the relationships between meter and rhythm as proposed by scholars of Russian poetry. Building on their observations, the author devises a constructive definition of “meter” as a system of permissions and prohibitions governing the distribution of word stresses and word boundaries in a verse line. Additionally, the article proposes constructive definitions for the versification systems employed in Russian poetry.

Keywords

• verse theory
• verse
• metre
• rhythm
• metrization and rhythmization
• rhythmical impulse