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Couplets are two-line stanzas that usually rhyme and have a consistent meter. They are one of the simplest and most common forms of poetry.
Couplets can stand alone as a complete poem or be used in longer poetic works. The rhyming scheme can vary, with AA, BB, or ABAB common patterns. Couplets are versatile and can be used for various purposes, from lighthearted humor to profound reflections.
Due to their succinct nature, couplets are effective for delivering witty punchlines or encapsulating profound truths. They are often found in traditional nursery rhymes, epigrams, and heroic couplets in longer narrative poems or satirical works.
‘Portrait of Zimri’ by John Dryden is a political satire that showcases how people in power can be consumed by hollow and pretentious self interest.
Some of their chiefs were princes of the land:
In the first rank of these did Zimri stand:
A man so various, that he seem'd to be
Not one, but all Mankind's Epitome.
Gunn’s ‘The Man with Night Sweats’ contrasts past vitality with present fragility, capturing the intimate pain of AIDS.
I wake up cold, I who
Prospered through dreams of heat
Wake to their residue,
Sweat, and a clinging sheet.
Kilmer’s ‘Trees’ marvels at nature’s beauty, declaring trees as divine art surpassing human creation, in simple yet profound couplets.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
‘Religio Laici’ by John Dryden is a reflective discourse in unadorned verse that explores faith, reason, and the complexities of religious beliefs.
Dim, as the borrow'd beams of moon and stars
To lonely, weary, wand'ring travellers,
Is reason to the soul; and as on high,
Those rolling fires discover but the sky
In Part IX, Damian and May enact their long-awaited plans to engage in adultery. Pluto ensures the two are discovered as he restores January’s sight.
Now lat us turne agayn to Januarie,
That in the gardyn with his faire May
Syngeth ful murier than the papejay,
"Yow love I best, and shal, and oother noon."
‘Passing Time’ by Maya Angelou explores the similarities between all people. It uses figurative language to depict skin tones as “dawn” and “dusk.”
Your skin like dawn
Mine like musk
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer features January’s quest for a wife and the Merchant’s satirical views on marriage.
Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye
A worthy knyght, that born was of Payve,
In which he lyved in greet prosperitee;
And sixty yeer a wyflees man was hee,
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer establishes January’s impossible expectations of a wife and his own shortcomings.
With face sad his tale he hath hem toold.
He seyde, "Freendes, I am hoor and oold,
And almoost, God woot, on my pittes brynke;
Upon my soule somewhat moste I thynke.
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer introduces January’s friends and their opinions on marriage.
Diverse men diversely hym tolde
Of mariage manye ensamples olde.
Somme blamed it, somme preysed it, certeyn,
But atte laste, shortly for to seyn,
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer revisits the counsel of January’s friends and introduces his new wife.
Heigh fantasye and curious bisynesse
Fro day to day gan in the soule impresse
Of Januarie aboute his mariage.
Many a fair shap and many a fair visage
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer introduces January’s squire and provides details of the wedding night.
Mayus, that sit with so benyngne a chiere,
Hire to biholde it semed fayerye.
Queene Ester looked nevere with swich an ye
On Asseur, so meke a look hath she.
Part VI of Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ explores moral values as May and Damian begin their affair.
Now wol I speke of woful Damyan,
That langwissheth for love, as ye shul heere;
Therfore I speke to hym in this manere:
I seye, "O sely Damyan, allas!
In Part VII of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’, Chaucer delves deep into symbolism as Damian and May make the final arrangements for their affair.
Somme clerkes holden that felicitee
Stant in delit, and therfore certeyn he,
This noble Januarie, with al his myght,
In honest wyse, as longeth to a knyght,
In Part VIII, while May sets her adulterous plans into motion, deities Pluto and Proserpina debate about the nature of women.
This Januarie, as blynd as is a stoon,
With Mayus in his hand, and no wight mo,
Into his fresshe gardyn is ago,
And clapte to the wyket sodeynly.
‘A Party Of Lovers’ observes and critiques a group of people too self-absorbed to open themselves up to passion and human interaction.
Pensive they sit, and roll their languid eyes,
Nibble their toast, and cool their tea with sighs,
Or else forget the purpose of the night,
Forget their tea -- forget their appetite.
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