Literary Terms

Couplet: Definition and Examples

Published October 11, 2026 · 5 views

Couplet is an important term in literary studies. This page gives a clear definition, an example and tips on how to use it in essays.

Definition

Two consecutive lines of verse that rhyme.

Example

Shakespeare ends each sonnet with a couplet.

How to Write About Couplet

  • Identify where couplet appears in the text.
  • Quote the exact words.
  • Explain the effect on the reader and link it to the writer's purpose.

See also: Literary Devices: Metaphor, Simile, Irony and More.