This document discusses rhyme scheme in poetry. It defines rhyme scheme as the pattern of rhyming lines at the end of each verse, described using letters. An example of an ABAB rhyme scheme is provided from Shakespeare's "Shall I Compare Thee". Common rhyme schemes are then outlined, including alternate, couplet, enclosed, ballad, terza rima, and limerick. The functions of rhyme scheme are noted as adding beauty, flow, and memorability to poetry. Poets choose schemes for different purposes and levels of complexity.
2. Rhyme: repetition of similar
sounding words, occurring at
the end of a poem. It’s a tool
for bringing rhythm in a poem.
It differentiates poetry from
prose.
3. Rhyme scheme: It is the pattern of rhyme that
comes at the end of each verse or line in poetry.
It is described using letters of the alphabet such
as A B C D. Poets use it as like their choice.
We record rhyming lines with letters. The 1st two
lines that rhyme the same would be A, the next
rhyming two would be B and so on.
The rhyming lines not have to come right after
another.
4. Let’s look into a poem
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? A
Thou art more lovely and more temperate B
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May A
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date B
Here the 1st line rhymes with the 3rd line
and 2nd line rhymes with the 4th line
So it is called ABAB rhyme scheme
5. Poetry and Rhyme Scheme
• Rhymes are used in all types of poetry but they don’t always occur in
regular patterns or at the ends of lines- so not all poems that use
rhyme necessarily have rhyme schemes. Rhyme
schemes are only used to describe poems that use end rhyme.
• Poems that have rhyme schemes are written in what’s known as
Formal verse.
• Certain forms of poems such as sonnets have a pre determined rhyme
scheme. Poets have wanted to write poems following the rhyme scheme.
6. Types of Rhyme Scheme
1. Alternative Rhyme: It’s also known as ABAB rhyme scheme. It rhymes as
ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH
2. Couplet: It contains two line stanzas. It rhymes AABBCC
3. Mono Rhyme: every line rhymes the same. It rhymes AAAA
4. Enclosed Rhyme: it uses rhyme scheme of ABBA or ABA
5. Ballad: It contains three stanzas with the rhyme of ABABBCBC
following by BCBC
These are some common rhyme schemes
7. Some Other Rhyme Schemes
• Terza Rima Rhyme Scheme: it uses tercets,3 line stanzas such
as ABA BCB CDC DED
• Keats Odes Rhyme Scheme: in his famous odes, keats has
used a specific rhyme scheme, which is ABABCDECDE
• Limerick: The poems uses five lines with a rhyme scheme of
AABBA
8. Functions of Rhyme scheme
• It is an integral part of the constitution of a poem which includes
meter, length of phrase and rhythm.
• It makes language sound more beautiful and thoughtfully
composed, pleasant to listen to and more memorable.
• It is used to create balance, relieve tension, manage flow, create
rhythm and highlight important ideas.
• It forms units of sound and suggests units of sense.
• It communicates the idea in a more effective way.
9. Poets choose specific schemes for different
purposes. For instance, rhyme schemes in which
rhymes are coupled (AABB) or alternative (ABAB) that
makes them well suited to children’s books. But
they are simple and tiresome. So the poets who
consider their work to be more literary or
complex choose to write in a poetic form that uses
more elaborate rhyme schemes.