Introduction to Rhyme Scheme in Literature

Definition of Rhyme Scheme

Rhyme scheme refers to the pattern of rhyme that occurs at the end of each verse or line in poetry. It is the structure formed by the end words of a verse or line, which poets create when writing poems. While many poems are written in free verse, others follow specific non-rhyming structures, focusing only on syllable count. For example, the Japanese Haiku is a type of poem that does not rely on rhyme. This illustrates that poets can choose to write in a specific type of rhyme scheme or pattern.

Types of Rhyme Scheme

There are several popular rhyme schemes used in poetry, including:

1. Alternate Rhyme (ABAB): This scheme alternates lines, such as “ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH.”
2. Ballade: This form consists of three stanzas with a rhyme scheme of “ABABBCBC” followed by “BCBC.”
3. Monorhyme: In this structure, every line ends with the same rhyme.
4. Couplet (AA): This consists of two-line stanzas that rhyme together, often appearing as “AA BB CC DD…”
5. Triplet: Similar to couplets, this uses a rhyme scheme of “AAA.”
6. Enclosed Rhyme (ABBA): This scheme has the first and fourth lines rhyming, and the second and third lines rhyming.
7. Terza Rima: This rhyme scheme uses tercets (three-line stanzas) with an interlocking pattern: ABA BCB CDC DED, and so on.
8. Keats’ Odes Rhyme Scheme: The famous poet John Keats often employed a rhyme scheme of “ABABCDECDE” in his odes.
9. Limerick: This five-line poem has a rhyme scheme of “AABBA.”
10. Villanelle: A complex form consisting of 19 lines, with five tercets followed by a quatrain, using a rhyme scheme of A1bA2, abA1, abA2, and so on.

Short Examples of Rhyme Scheme

1. The sun is shining bright
   This is a lovely sight.
2. You are like a day of May
   And I as worthless as hay.
3. This is poor Mr. Potter
   Walking a road with his daughter.
4. Sometimes, your unspoken word
   Is more important than that heard.
5. Little boy wants to eat cakes
   Whenever he from sleep awakes.
6. I saw a tree that to God doth say
   I want the Lord to accept my pray.
7. I think I can never see
   Something as free as a sea.
8. After so many days of drought down poured the rain
   It took so long as if it came from Spain.
9. The green garden lets its shade fall
   Over the red old school hall.
10. There flows the river
    That’s amongst the greatest giver.

Examples of Rhyme Scheme in Literature

Here are some examples of widely used rhyme schemes found in literature:

Example 1: “Neither Out Far nor in Deep” (By Robert Frost)

The people along the sand (A)
All turn and look one way. (B)
They turn their back on the land. (A)
They look at the sea all day. (B)
As long as it takes to pass (C)
A ship keeps raising its hull; (C)
The wetter ground like glass (D)
Reflects a standing gull. (D)

This poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme throughout its stanzas.

Example 2: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” (By Donald Barthelme)

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, (A)
How I wonder what you are. (A)
Up above the world so high, (B)
Like a diamond in the sky. (B)

This example uses an AABB rhyme scheme, where “star” rhymes with “are,” and “high” rhymes with “sky.”

Example 3: “Divine Comedy” (By Dante Alighieri)

As I drew nearer to the end of all desire, (A)
I brought my longing’s ardor to a final height, (B)
Just as I ought. My vision, becoming pure, (A)
Entered more and more the beam of that high light (B)
That shines on its own truth. From then, my seeing (C)
Became too large for speech, which fails at a sight… (B)

Dante employs the terza rima rhyme pattern (ABA, BCB, CDC) in this poem, creating a dynamic flow.

Example 4: “A Monorhyme for the Shower” (By Dick Davis)

Lifting her arms to soap her hair (A)
Her pretty breasts respond – and there (A)
The movement of that buoyant pair (A)
Is like a spell to make me swear… (A)

This poem exemplifies monorhyme, where every line ends with the same rhyme “AAAA.”

Example 5: “Nature’s Way” (By Heidi Campbell)

Upon a nice mid-spring day, (A)
Let’s take a look at Nature’s way. (A)
Breathe the scent of nice fresh air, (B)
Feel the breeze within your hair. (B)
The grass will poke between your toes, (C)
Smell the flowers with your nose. (C)
Clouds form shapes within the skies, (D)
And light will glisten from your eyes. (D)

This excerpt uses the rhyme scheme AA, BB, CC, DD.

Example 6: “A Poison Tree” (By William Blake)

I was angry with my friend: (A)
I told my wrath, my wrath did end. (A)
I was angry with my foe: (B)
I told it not, my wrath did grow. (B)
And I watered it in fears (C)
Night and morning with my tears; (C)
And I sunned it with smiles, (D)
And with soft deceitful wiles. (D)

Blake’s poem has the rhyme scheme AA, BB, CC, DD.

Example 7: “The One” (By Crystal R. Adame)

The one who brought me down to earth, (A)
And held me every day. (B)
The one who gracefully gave me birth, (A)
And said, I love you in every way. (B)
The one who taught me everything, (C)
Like how to crawl and walk. (D)
The one who taught me how to sing (C)
After learning how to talk. (D)

In this poem, the rhyme scheme follows ABAB and CDCD.

Example 8: “To A Terrific Dad” (By David L. Helm)

To a dad who is terrific, (A)
To a dad who’s real neat. (B)
To a dad who makes the best of things, (C)
Even when they’re not so sweet! (B)
To a dad who’s growing older, (D)
To a dad who’s going gray. (E)
To a dad who just gets smarter, (D)
It would seem from day to day! (E)

The rhyme scheme here is ABCBDEDE.

Function of Rhyme Scheme

Rhyme scheme plays a crucial role in poetry. It works alongside meter, phrase length, and rhythm to create a poem’s overall structure. The primary functions of a rhyme scheme include:

• Creating balance and relieving tension.
• Managing the flow and enhancing rhythm.
• Highlighting important ideas.

Rhyme schemes also help form sound units, which suggest units of meaning, making communication more effective