Rhyme, that delightful chime of similar sounds, often defines poetry for many. While not essential to the art form, its presence adds a unique musicality and depth. From traditional ballads to contemporary free verse, the use of rhyme has evolved, reflecting the changing landscape of poetic expression. Let’s delve into some compelling Examples Of Rhyming Poems across different eras and styles, exploring the diverse effects rhyme achieves.
Contents
Rhyme in Traditional Forms
The Ballad Tradition
The traditional ballad, often narrative and meant to be sung, utilizes rhyme to enhance its rhythmic flow. “Sir Patrick Spens,” a classic Scottish ballad, exemplifies this:
The King sits in Dunferline toun,
Drinkin the blude-reid wine
‘O whaur will A get a skeely skipper
Tae sail this new ship o mine?’
The abcb rhyme scheme propels the narrative forward, creating a sense of anticipation and momentum.
The Sonnet Form
The sonnet, a 14-line poem with a structured rhyme scheme, provides another rich ground for exploring rhyme. Sir Philip Sidney’s Sonnet 99 from Astrophil and Stella demonstrates the intricate rhyming patterns of the Petrarchan sonnet:
When far spent night persuades each mortal eye,
To whom nor art nor nature granteth light,
To lay his then mark-wanting shafts of sight,
Closed with their quivers, in sleep’s armoury;
With windows ope then most my mind doth lie …
The abba abba cdcdee rhyme scheme creates a sense of closure and unity, while the repeated “i” sounds add another layer of sonic texture.
Rhyme in the 18th and 19th Centuries
The Heroic Couplet
The 18th century saw the rise of the heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming iambic pentameter lines. Alexander Pope masterfully employed this form in An Essay on Criticism:
But still the worst with most regret commend,
For each ill author is as bad a friend.
To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urged, through sacred lust of praise!
The concise, epigrammatic nature of the heroic couplet lends itself to wit and pointed observation.
Tennyson’s Enclosed Rhyme
Alfred, Lord Tennyson used enclosed rhyme (abba) in his elegy In Memoriam A.H.H.:
He is not here; but far away
The noise of life begins again,
And ghastly thro’ the drizzling rain
On the bald street breaks the blank day.
The enclosed rhyme creates a sense of intimacy and reflection, fitting for the poem’s mournful tone.
Rhyme in Modern and Contemporary Poetry
Dickinson’s Slant Rhyme
Emily Dickinson, known for her unconventional style, often used slant rhyme (also known as half-rhyme or near rhyme):
I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air –
Between the Heaves of Storm –
The slant rhymes create a subtle dissonance, reflecting the poem’s unsettling subject matter.
Modern and Contemporary Examples
Edward Thomas, in “Tall Nettles,” subtly weaves together full rhyme, slant rhyme, and eye rhyme, creating a tapestry of sound that reflects the complexity of nature. Similarly, Claude McKay uses rhyme to emphasize key themes of defiance and honor in “If We Must Die.” Wilfred Owen’s use of pararhyme in “Strange Meeting” reflects the disharmony and psychological trauma of war. Even in contemporary poetry, Sarah Howe utilizes subtle, imperfect rhymes in “Relativity,” demonstrating the continued relevance of rhyme in expressing nuanced ideas and emotions.
The Enduring Power of Rhyme
While free verse has become increasingly prominent, rhyme continues to hold a significant place in poetry. From its origins in traditional forms to its innovative use in modern and contemporary works, rhyme provides poets with a powerful tool to create musicality, emphasize meaning, and evoke emotion. By understanding the diverse ways rhyme can be employed, we can deepen our appreciation for the richness and complexity of poetry.