Couplet

A couplet is a pair of successive lines of verse, typically rhyming and of the same meter, that form a complete thought. Couplets are one of the simplest rhyme schemes and can stand alone or be incorporated into larger poetic forms. They often appear at the end of a Shakespearean sonnet, acting as a concise summary or concluding statement.

Key Characteristics:

• Two Lines: A couplet is defined by its two-line structure.
• Rhyme: While not mandatory, couplets most often rhyme (AA). Lines that do not rhyme are occasionally referred to as "open couplets".
• Meter: Generally, the two lines share the same metrical structure, contributing to their sense of unity.
• Completeness: Ideally, a couplet conveys a complete thought, idea, or observation within its two lines.
• Function: Couplets can serve a variety of functions within a poem, including emphasis, commentary, or closure.

Types of Couplets:

• Heroic Couplet: A heroic couplet is written in iambic pentameter and typically ends with a perfect rhyme. It was a popular form in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Open Couplet: An open couplet forgoes the requirement of rhyme, emphasizing the metrical and thematic connection between the two lines.