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Iambic pentameter is a specific type of meter used often in poetry, particularly by Shakespeare and other playwrights of the English Renaissance. Each line consists of five "iambs," which are metrical feet with two syllables—an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Since there are five iambs in a line of iambic pentameter, this results in a total of 10 syllables per line. Understanding this structure is essential for analyzing traditional English verse and helps students recognize the musical qualities of poetry. Knowing that each line follows this rhythmic pattern aids in both writing and interpreting poetry effectively.