Opinions on: line as a functional unit

[bi3mw]

Do you think it must be hexameters. I just thought, ok herbal, medical stuff is written as poetry... so maybe line as a functional unit is not very uncommon in a lot of text at that time?

As far as I know, hexameters were the most widely used verse form in ancient and medieval poetry. I find it very interesting that there is evidence of their use in medical/herbal texts. So far, I have not understood much about the construction of such verses other than that there are short and long units according to the pattern:

The characteristic rhythm of dactylic hexameter is DUM diddy DUM diddy DUM diddy DUM diddy DUM diddy DUM DUM.

A purely dactylic line of hexameter would look like this: — uu | — uu | — uu | — uu | — uu | — x
   

In any case, one could speak of a line as a functional unit. Whether or not the VMS has a six-fold recurring meter, as one would expect in metrical poetry, would have to be examined in detail. As I said before, the lines here seem rather long to me, but I could be wrong.

   

By the way, I'm reading Elmar Vogt's paper again. I've already forgotten half of it 
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.