Definition of couplet

The term "couplet" in literature refers to a pair of rhyming lines that are often found at the end of poetic stanzas. The word "couplet" comes from the French word "couplets," which means "double" or "paired." In the medieval ages, poetry was primarily written in an ancient French form known as the "rhyme royal." This form consisted of four-line stanzas, each with a specific rhyme scheme. The couplet, as we know it today, became popular during the Renaissance period, when poets began to write in the Italian form of the sonnet. The sonnet consisted of four stages or quatrains, followed by a couplet called the "tradition." The first recorded use of the word "couplet" in English dates back to the late 16th century, in the context of French literature. In French literature, the term was used to describe a pair of rhyming lines in a poem, often at the end of a stanza or as a pair that completes a thought. The influence of French literature and poetry on English literature was significant during this period, and the term "couplet" was adopted by English poets. Overall, the word "couplet" is a testament to the influence of French literature and the history of poetry. It serves as a reminder of the evolution of poetic forms and the ways in which language can travel across borders and shape the way we think and write.