In poetry, what is a couplet?

• A. A three-line stanza
• B. A stanza containing five lines
• C. A pair of lines that rhyme
• D. A stanza of four lines

Answer: (C)

A couplet is defined as a pair of lines that typically rhyme and have the same meter. This form is commonly used in poetry to create a sense of rhythm and to link ideas or concepts within the two lines. Couplet structures play a significant role in various poetic forms, including sonnets, where they often serve to encapsulate a theme or conclusion.

The other options refer to different stanza forms: a three-line stanza is known as a tercet, a stanza containing five lines is termed a quintet, and a stanza of four lines is called a quatrain. Each of these forms has its unique characteristics and uses in poetry, distinguishing them clearly from the concept of a couplet. Thus, the defining element of a couplet as two rhyming lines makes it a fundamental and recognizable structure in poetry.