Open Boat's Rhyme Scheme: Unraveling The Lyrical Secrets

The rhyme scheme of a poem is the pattern of rhymes that repeat at the end of each line. 'An Open Boat' by Alfred Noyes is a poem that uses a variety of literary devices, including personification, metaphor, and a change in the rhyme scheme. The poem's rhyme scheme is not immediately clear, and it may be irregular or follow a less common pattern. To determine the rhyme scheme, one would need to analyze the poem's structure and identify the rhyming patterns at the end of each line.

Rhyming couplets: AABB

Rhyming couplets, or the AABB rhyme scheme, is a classic and simple pattern in poetry. It is a pair of consecutive lines where the last word of each line rhymes. This is a good rhyme scheme to start with if you are new to writing in rhyme, as it is straightforward and can be used to create a musical quality and evoke powerful emotions in your readers.

William Shakespeare often used this rhyme scheme in his works, including in the following excerpt from Macbeth:

> Double, double toil and trouble; (A)

> Fire burn and cauldron bubble. (A)

> Fillet of a fenny snake, (B)

> In the cauldron boil and bake; (B)

Here, the last words of the first two lines rhyme with each other (toil/trouble, burn/bubble), and the last words of the second two lines rhyme with each other (snake, bake). This creates a sense of rhythm and melody in the passage.

The AABB rhyme scheme is a good foundation for more complex rhyme schemes and can be a useful tool for poets to create structure and flow in their work.

Alternating rhyme: ABAB

The ABAB rhyme scheme is a popular form of structured poetry in which the first and third lines of a stanza rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines form a different rhyme. This is also known as an alternate rhyme scheme. The pattern can be seen in the following example:

"The people along the sand

All turn and look one way.

They turn their back on the land.

They look at the sea all day."

Here, 'sand' and 'land' rhyme with each other (A), and 'way' and 'day' form the second rhyme (B). This ABAB pattern is repeated in each stanza, or group of lines.

The ABAB rhyme scheme is often used in Shakespearean sonnets, which consist of three quatrains (ABAB) and a closing couplet (AA). The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is, therefore, ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

The ABAB rhyme scheme is also found in Robert Frost's poem, 'Neither Out Far Nor in Deep', and in William Shakespeare's 'Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?'.

The ABAB rhyme scheme is an effective way to create rhythm and structure in poetry. It is a popular choice for poets wishing to create a lingering impact on their audience.

Enclosed rhyme: ABBA

Rhyme schemes are an essential part of poetry, giving motion to the verses and creating melodic ebbs and flows. One such rhyme scheme is the enclosed rhyme, or ABBA, which creates a "'rhyming sandwich'. Here, the first and fourth lines rhyme (A), and the second and third lines rhyme (B).

A well-known example of the enclosed rhyme scheme is Alfred Lord Tennyson's "In Memoriam A.H.H.", an elegy for his dear friend:

> I hold it true, whate'er befall; (A)

> I feel it, when I sorrow most; (B)

> 'Tis better to have loved and lost (B)

> Than never to have loved at all. (A)

The enclosed rhyme structure is also used in the poem "An Open Boat" by Alfred Noyes. Although the full poem does not appear to be available online, the following excerpt illustrates the ABBA rhyme scheme:

> See — quick — by that flash, where the bitter foam tosses, (A)

> The cloud of white faces, in the black open boat, (B)

> The ... (B)

> ... (A)

The enclosed rhyme scheme is a great way to add variety to your quatrains and create a sense of rhythm and unity in your poetry.

Triplet rhyme: AAA

A triplet rhyme, or AAA rhyme scheme, is a poetic form that occurs when a writer uses three lines together, all ending with the same sound. This is also known as a mono-rhyme.

Triplets are quite rare as they require the use of the same end sounds, and poets often prefer to maintain a different pattern, alternating between sounds.

An example of a triplet rhyme is seen in Alfred Noyes' poem, "An Open Boat":

> See — quick — by that flash, where the bitter foam tosses,

> The cloud of white faces, in the black open boat,

> The tall form that stands and watches, still and stark.

Here, the words "boat" and "tosses" rhyme with "boat" in the final line, creating a triplet rhyme.

Another example is seen in Robert Herrick's "Upon Julia's Clothes":

> Whenas in silks my Julia goes,

> Then, then (methinks) how sweetly flows

> That liquefaction of her clothes.

Here, the first stanza uses the perfect end words, "goes," "flows," and "clothes," creating a triplet rhyme.

Triplets are often used sparingly in verse to add emphasis to specific phrases or to maintain a consistent mono-rhyme scheme. They can be challenging to write, as finding the same end sound that relates to the content can be difficult, but they are a unique and interesting feature of poetry.

Monorhyme: all lines end with the same word

Monorhyme is a poem or stanza where all the last words in each line rhyme. While monorhyme seems easy on the surface, it’s hard to get right. The best example of monorhyme is in the infamous tunnel scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl originally wrote this gerund-filled piece for his book, and the filmmakers liked it so much that they incorporated it into the 1971 movie as well. In this example, monorhyme creates a whimsical, yet suspenseful tone.

> Not a speck of light is showing (A) so the danger must be growing. (A) Are the fires of hell a-glowing? (A) Is the grisly reaper mowing? (A) Yes! The danger must be growing (A) For the rowers keep on rowing. (A) And they’re certainly not showing (A) any signs that they are slowing! (A)

As you can see, each line ends with the same word, "A". This is an example of a monorhyme, which is a type of poem or stanza where all the ending words are the same. Monorhyme can be challenging to get right, but when done well, it can create a whimsical and suspenseful tone, as seen in Roald Dahl's "The Rowing Song".

Monorhyme is a unique form of poetry that can be challenging but rewarding. It is a great way to create a sense of unity and consistency in your poem, as each line ends with the same word. This can help to emphasise a particular theme or idea that you are trying to convey. Additionally, monorhyme can be used to create a sense of rhythm and flow in your poem, as the repeating word creates a melodic effect.

If you are interested in writing poetry, monorhyme is definitely a form you should try. It may take some practice to master, but the results can be well worth the effort. Monorhyme allows you to create a unique and captivating poem that captures the attention of your readers and leaves a lasting impression. So, if you're up for a creative challenge, give monorhyme a try!

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