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Prosimetrum

Epic and Heroic Narrative

Prosimetrum is a literary form that alternates prose and verse within a single composition, appearing across both Western and Eastern literary traditions. In true prosimetrum the two modes appear in roughly equal measure, distinguishing it from narrative works that use verse only occasionally within prose or prose only occasionally within verse. Scholars sometimes reserve the term prosimetrum for texts where verse dominates and use versiprose for the reverse balance.

Facts
Place of Origin
Bologna, Italy 1
Notable Example
Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius 1
Defining Trait
Alternates prose and verse in roughly equal measure 1
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Prosimetrum - Wikipedia
  • Usage of term
    in the Rationes dictandi of Hugh of Bologna, in the early 12th century
  • Examples
    Consolation of Philosophy (c. 524) by Boethius
  • Intro
    a text composed in alternating segments of prose and verse
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