Definition, Examples, and Types of Rhyme – Literary Terms

Definition, Examples and Types of Rhyme – Literary Terms

 Definition, Examples, and Types of Rhyme – Literary Terms

 The similarity of sound between two words (old/cold; foam/dome; dusky/husky). When the sounds of their accented syllables and all succeeding sounds are identical, words rhyme (rend befriend; order/recorder). The most common form of rhyme, rhyme coming at the ends of lines of POETRY, is called end rhyme, as in Robert Herrick's "To Electra":

I dare not ask a kiss,

I dare not beg a smile,

Lest having that, or this,

I might grow proud the while.

No, no, the utmost share

Of my desire shall be

Only to kiss that air

That lately kissed thee.

Definition, Examples, and Types of Rhyme – Literary Terms - Literature cartoon - simple Simon poem cartoon

 Internal rhyme:

Rhyme within the line is called internal rhyme, as in Edgar Allan Poe's “The Raven":

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

Masculine rhyme and Feminine rhyme:

The rhyme of one syllable, as in the Herrick poem, is called masculine rhyme. Two-syllable rhyme, as in “The Raven," is called feminine rhyme. Rhyme of three syllables or more is more common in LIGHT VERSE than in serious poetry.

True rhymes or Exact rhymes:

Rhyme may also be classified by sound. The rhymes in the preceding selections are true rhymes, sometimes called exact rhymes.

Identical rhymes:

Identical rhymes repeat the same word or a homonym of the word (a word that sounds the same but is spelled differently): two/too; rain/reign.

Slant rhymes:

The rhymes are approximate rhymes, substituting either ASSONANCE (comb/coat; rule/room) or CONSONANCE (hope/heap; walk/ weak) in place of exact rhyme.

A traditional device of poetry, rhyme contributes to RHYTHM, helps organize the language of poetry, makes poetry easier to memorize, and is a source of pleasure in itself.

See more:

ASSONANCE, CONSONANCE, END RHYME, FEMININE RHYME, INTERNAL RHYME, MASCULINE RHYME, RHYME SCHEME, SLANT RHYME.