Rhythmic and Strophic Organization in Mediaeval Hebrew Poetry: (A Cognitive Approach)

Abstract

This article 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 article 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 article include Gestalt theory, as well as the hypotheses concerning “limited channel capacity,” and the nature of short-term memory.