Final answer:
Common Meter refers to a metric pattern in poetry with a regular rhythm, important for constructing the structure of a poem. It includes patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables, vital for the effect a poem has on its readers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Common Meter in poetry refers to a specific metric pattern that provides a reference point for constructing the rhythm and structure of a poem. This meter is characterized by a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that can significantly affect the reading experience of a poem. For example, common meters include iambic pentameter, which is composed of five iambic feet per line, where each foot consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one. In practice, this might look like the line 'The curfew tolls the knell of parting day', where the beats fall on certain syllables to create a rhythm. Different meters, such as trochaic, spondaic, or anapestic, can also be used depending on the effect the poet wants to achieve. Fixed forms of poetry such as sonnets, villanelles, or ghazals adhere to strict patterns of meter and rhyme, while free verse poetry allows the poet more freedom in choosing the rhythmic structure.
A standard unit in poetry, like common meter, is akin to standard units in measurement such as weight or length, providing a consistent framework from which variations can be made. Through the rhythmic patterns of meter, poetry is connected to the primal nature of rhythm, which can resonate deeply with readers.