Rhythmic and Strophic Abstract
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Reuven Tsur
Tel Aviv University
Yehosheva Bentov
Tel Aviv University and The State Teachers' College
Seminar Hakibbutsim
Rhythmic and Strophic Organization in Mediaeval Hebrew
Poetry
(a cognitive approach)
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the correlations and relative frequencies
of certain prosodic structures in Mediaeval Hebrew
Poetry, where metre is based on systematic manipulation
of shorter and longer vowels (schwas versus full vowels).
These correlations and frequencies cannot be accounted
for by the explicit poetics of the period. It is assumed
here that they reflect the tacit intuitions of the
poets. The paper presents several cognitive mechanisms
underlying the experiencing of poetic rhythm, on the
assumption that while metrical conventions may change
from time to time and from style to style, the cognitive
mechanisms underlying them show remarkable consistencies
over considerable periods of time, and perhaps even
across cultural traditions. The cognitive assumptions
of the paper include Gestalt theory, as well as the
hypotheses concerning "limited channel capacity",
and the nature of short-term memory.
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Original file name: Tsur Bentov abstract - converted on Thursday, 20 November 1997, 21:19
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