Complete the sentence. The type of meter Shakespeare used in his sonnets is called

The type of meter Shakespeare used in his sonnets is called iambic pentameter.

Iambic pentameter consists of lines containing five feet (penta-), where each foot is an iamb—an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM). This rhythmic pattern mimics the natural flow of the English language and contributes to the musical quality of Shakespeare's poetry. The sonnets often explore themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality, with the meter playing a crucial role in emphasizing the emotional intensity and meaning of the verses. Each line in an iambic pentameter sonnet typically has ten syllables, creating a balanced and structured form that has resonated through centuries of literary history.