The decasyllable in Portugal

We propose a new classification of the Portuguese decasyllable into periods, as well as an overview of the specific features which have, over the centuries, marked the variety of this verse form. We thus distinguish between: the decassílabo trovadoresco (Middle Ages); the decassílabo quatrocentista (15th century); the decassílabo clássico (16th century); the decassílabo romântico (19th century); the decassílabo decadente e simbolista (late 19th and early 20th century). Whether in medieval or modern poetry, the Portuguese decasyllable exhibits an extreme variety of forms, rhythms and scansion patterns, all equally possible and codified in the poetic idiom; so that the only constant distinctive feature of the verse appears to be the compulsory accent on the 10th syllable. Moreover, the massive recourse to hiatus and dieresis, as well as to synaloepha and syneresis, always allows the Portuguese poets to attain the required number of syllables.