Masculine rhyme
Encyclopedia
A masculine rhyme is a rhyme that matches only one syllable, usually at the end of respective lines. Often the final syllable is stressed.
on a single stressed syllable
at the end of a line of poetry
. This term is interchangeable with single rhyme, and is often used contrastingly with the terms "feminine rhyme
" and "double rhyme."
In English-language poetry, especially serious verse, masculine rhymes comprise a majority of all rhymes. John Donne
's poem "Lecture Upon the Shadow" is one of many that utilise exclusively masculine rhyme:
verse, a masculine rhyme is one in which the final syllable is not a "silent" e, even if the word is feminine. In classical French poetry
, two masculine rhymes cannot occur in succession.
English
In English prosody, a masculine rhyme is a rhymeRhyme
A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds in two or more words and is most often used in poetry and songs. The word "rhyme" may also refer to a short poem, such as a rhyming couplet or other brief rhyming poem such as nursery rhymes.-Etymology:...
on a single stressed syllable
Syllable
A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds. For example, the word water is composed of two syllables: wa and ter. A syllable is typically made up of a syllable nucleus with optional initial and final margins .Syllables are often considered the phonological "building...
at the end of a line of poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
. This term is interchangeable with single rhyme, and is often used contrastingly with the terms "feminine rhyme
Feminine rhyme
A feminine rhyme is a rhyme that matches two or more syllables, usually at the end of respective lines, in which the final syllable or syllables are unstressed.-English:...
" and "double rhyme."
In English-language poetry, especially serious verse, masculine rhymes comprise a majority of all rhymes. John Donne
John Donne
John Donne 31 March 1631), English poet, satirist, lawyer, and priest, is now considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are notable for their strong and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs,...
's poem "Lecture Upon the Shadow" is one of many that utilise exclusively masculine rhyme:
- Stand still, and I will read to thee
- A lecture, love, in Love's philosophy.
- These three hours that we have spent
- Walking here, two shadows went
- Along with us, which we ourselves produced.
- But now the sun is just above our head,
- We do those shadows tread,
- And to brave clearness all things are reduced.
French
In FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
verse, a masculine rhyme is one in which the final syllable is not a "silent" e, even if the word is feminine. In classical French poetry
French poetry
French poetry is a category of French literature. It may include Francophone poetry composed outside France and poetry written in other languages of France.-French prosody and poetics:...
, two masculine rhymes cannot occur in succession.