Rythm and tipology of Garcilaso’s hendecasyllable

Abstract

This paper provides a new typology for the hendecasyllable based on its accentual rhythm. I propose three primary types based on the identifying accents (common, Sapphic, and Horatian with accents on the 4th, 6th and 10th syllables). Next, two secondary types will be distinguished by the presence of a complementary accent after the first identifying accent (binary common with accents on the 6th, 8th and 10th syllables; and binary Sapphic with accent on the 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th syllables). Finally, complementary accents prior to the first identifying accent will distinguish seventeen rhythmic varieties within the five types mentioned before. The analysis of the sequence of tonic and atonic syllables will demonstrate the existence of a quaternary clausula, which is not equivalent to two consecutive binary clausulae. The harmony of the hendecasyllable is based both on the combination of quaternary and binary clausulae after the first identifying accent and the expressive variations of its opening.