Couplet

Chinese Marks Door

Kural in Chennai Metro Train

Couplet refers to a pair of successive lines of verse in a poem that are of the same length and usually rhyme with each other. This literary device is commonly found in poetry and is used to add rhythm, emphasis, or thematic unity to a work. Couplets can stand alone as a complete poem or be part of a larger poetic structure. They are versatile and can be found in various forms of poetry, including sonnets, ghazals, and heroic couplets. The latter, often used in English poetry, is written in iambic pentameter and is associated with the work of poets such as Alexander Pope and Geoffrey Chaucer.

Types of Couplets

There are several types of couplets, each with its own structural and rhythmic characteristics:

• Closed Couplets: These are self-contained with both sense and syntax coming to a conclusion at the end of the two lines.
• Open Couplets: In contrast to closed couplets, the thought or syntactic structure extends beyond the end of the two lines.
• Heroic Couplets: Written in iambic pentameter, these couplets are often used in epic and narrative poetry. They are known for their formal tone and elevated style.
• Chinese Couplets: Also known as duilian, these are a form of poetry from China that are often used during festivals for decorations. They are composed of two lines that complement each other in meaning and phonetic aspects.

Function in Poetry

Couplets serve various functions in poetry, including:

• Emphasis: The rhyme and rhythm of couplets can emphasize certain ideas or themes within a poem.
• Structure: They provide a clear and concise structure, making poems easier to memorize and recite.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The use of couplets can add a musical quality to poetry, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

Examples in Literature

Many famous works of literature have made use of couplets. For instance, Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 employs couplets at the end to conclude the poem's theme of eternal beauty. Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism is another example, known for its heroic couplets that convey criticisms and observations on literary practices of the time.

See Also

• Poetry
• Rhyme
• Meter (poetry)
• Sonnet
• Ghazal