A couplet is two consecutive lines of poetry that often share a rhyme and be part of a larger poetic structure. A couplet is the basic building block of poetic form. Many couplets have been found in the works of William Shakespeare, this is likely due to the ease with which rhyme can be established. Couplets are great for emphasizing a particular idea, as a pair of consecutive lines of poetic verse will draw more attention than a single line.
Rhyme Scheme
In a couplet, the two lines of the poem usually start and end with a rhyme, AABB is the most common rhyme scheme. The rhyme in a couplet should be regular and reliable and should not change throughout the poem. When poets use couplets in their work, they not only make a stylistic choice but also determine the overall tone of the poem. For example, a poem written in couplets will feel more lighthearted than a poem about the same topic written in a different meter. In addition to the rhyming of the words at the end of each line, the words within the couplet should also have a rhythm which is often achieved through alliteration.
Examples of Couplets
As an example, one of the most popular couplets of all time comes from the works of the Bard himself, William Shakespeare: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate.” Not only does this particular couplet have a beautiful rhyme and rhythm, but it also carries with it a particularly emotional message. It is often quoted as a testament to someone’s beauty or to embody a lover’s adoration for the other.
Historical Use of Couplets
In the early days of literature, couplets were widely used in works of drama and epic poetry. For example, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are full of couplets, as is Virgil’s Aeneid. These couplets were often used to provide structure and emphasis to the action and to add a sense of formality to a story. In Elizabethan and Jacobean drama, couplets were also commonplace. Many playwrights used couplets to include a moment of high drama or special emphasis. Shakespeare was known for his use of couplets in his plays, such as the example from Romeo and Juliet delivered by Mercutio: “A plague on both your houses! / They have made worms’ meat of me.”
Later Development of Couplets
In the 17th and 18th centuries, couplets became even more popular and were used extensively in poetry. This was in part due to the emergence of the sonnet, which was composed of four quatrains and a couplet. Couplets provided the perfect way to finish off a poem with a dramatic or poignant conclusion. Alexander Pope was one of the most noteworthy users of couplets, which he used in satirical works such as “An Essay on Criticism” and “The Rape of the Lock.”
Modern Use of Couplets
Today, couplets are still widely used in literature and poetry. They are often used to draw attention to a particular piece of dialogue or they can be used to add a feeling of structure and flow to a poem. There are also some modern poets who use couplets as a form of their work. These couplets, much like their ancient counterparts, often contain alliteration and a clever or witty, rhyming sentiment. One modern example of an entire poem composed solely of couplets comes from the poet, Kim Addonizio: “Life’s an improv, so don’t be too prepared. / It’s a slow dance, so keep your steps slow and steady.”
Couplet for Emotional Impact
Couplets can be used to create powerful emotions in readers. By summarising a theme or idea in two short lines, poets can draw attention to the depth of their meaning. An emotion-filled example of a couplet comes from the poet Maya Angelou in her work Phenomenal Woman: “Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. / I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size.” In this example, Angelou conveys a powerful idea of female empowerment, self-love and acceptance.
Conclusion
A couplet is two consecutive lines of poetry that often share a rhyme and be part of a larger poetic structure. Couplets have been used throughout the ages as a way to convey meaning and emotion to the reader. By using rhyme and rhythm, couplets bring a sense of structure and formality to a piece of writing or a poem. Today, couplets are still used in literature and poetry, often to draw attention to particular ideas or emotions.
