A heroic couplet is a pair of rhyming lines that is present in a heroic poem or that relays themes of heroism within a larger poem. Heroic couplets generally consist of two lines written in iambic pentameter, though some poets chose to vary the meter, perhaps using blank verse or [incorporating enjambment between the first line and the second line](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-enjambment-in-poetry). In general, heroic couplets follow a simple AA end rhyme scheme.

A heroic couplet is a specific type of couplet that discusses heroic themes and that usually uses iambic pentameter. An ordinary couplet, on the other hand, is simply two successive lines of poetry—often two lines that rhyme and that employ the same meter. 

Couplets can be classified as either open couplets or closed couplets. Open couplets have a complete thought that progresses over a pair of lines with punctuation only at the end of the second line. Closed couplets have an end stop closing out each line. 

Though a heroic couplet is most commonly a verse form consisting of two iambic pentameter lines that rhyme, there are variations in meter. Oftentimes the two lines rhyme and are joined together with another heroic couplet with its own rhyme scheme to form a quatrain. Here are some famous examples of heroic couplets:

__1.__ __“Cooper’s Hill” by Sir John Denham (1641)__

> O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream
> My great example, as it is my theme!
> Though deep yet clear, though gentle yet not dull;
> Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full.

__2.__ *__The Canterbury Tales__* __by Geoffrey Chaucer (1400)__

> She was a worthy woman Al hir life 
> Housebondes at church Dore she hadde five

__3.__ *__Aeneid__* __by Virgil (19 BCE)__

> Soon had their hosts in bloody battle join'd;
> But westward to the sea the sun declin'd.
> Intrench'd before the town both armies lie,
> While Night with sable wings involves the sky.

__4.__ *__The Rape of Lock__* __by Alexander Pope (1712)__

> Here Thou, great Anna! whom three Realms obey,
> Dost sometimes Counsel take—and sometimes Tea.

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A rhyming <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry","linkCopy":"couplet","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>couplet</a> is one of the simplest examples of poetic form: a pair of lines with end rhymes. Rhyming couplets can be found everywhere from the lyrical English poetry of Shakespeare to simple schoolyard nursery rhymes. A heroic couplet is a form of the couplet often found within epic or narrative poetry.

A rhyming <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry","linkCopy":"couplet","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>couplet</a> is one of the simplest examples of poetic form: a pair of lines with end rhymes. Rhyming couplets can be found everywhere from the lyrical English poetry of Shakespeare to simple schoolyard nursery rhymes. A heroic couplet is a form of the couplet often found within epic or narrative poetry.

Understanding the Heroic Couplet: Definition and Examples

A heroic couplet is a pair of rhyming lines that is present in a heroic poem or that relays themes of heroism within a larger poem. Heroic couplets generally consist of two lines written in iambic pentameter, though some poets chose to vary the meter, perhaps using blank verse or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-enjambment-in-poetry' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-enjambment-in-poetry","linkCopy":"incorporating enjambment between the first line and the second line","category":null}'>incorporating enjambment between the first line and the second line</a>. In general, heroic couplets follow a simple AA end rhyme scheme.

What Is a Heroic Couplet?

A heroic couplet is a specific type of couplet that discusses heroic themes and that usually uses iambic pentameter. An ordinary couplet, on the other hand, is simply two successive lines of poetry—often two lines that rhyme and that employ the same meter. Couplets can be classified as either open couplets or closed couplets. Open couplets have a complete thought that progresses over a pair of lines with punctuation only at the end of the second line. Closed couplets have an end stop closing out each line.

What Is the Difference Between a Couplet and a Heroic Couplet?

Though a heroic couplet is most commonly a verse form consisting of two iambic pentameter lines that rhyme, there are variations in meter. Oftentimes the two lines rhyme and are joined together with another heroic couplet with its own rhyme scheme to form a quatrain. Here are some famous examples of heroic couplets:1. “Cooper’s Hill” by Sir John Denham (1641)<blockquote class="mc-text--italic mc-opacity--hinted mc-my-8 mc-mr-0 mc-ml-6 mc-pl-6">O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep yet clear, though gentle yet not dull; Strong without rage, without o&#39;erflowing full.</blockquote>2. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1400)<blockquote class="mc-text--italic mc-opacity--hinted mc-my-8 mc-mr-0 mc-ml-6 mc-pl-6">She was a worthy woman Al hir life Housebondes at church Dore she hadde five</blockquote>3. Aeneid by Virgil (19 BCE)<blockquote class="mc-text--italic mc-opacity--hinted mc-my-8 mc-mr-0 mc-ml-6 mc-pl-6">Soon had their hosts in bloody battle join&#39;d; But westward to the sea the sun declin&#39;d. Intrench&#39;d before the town both armies lie, While Night with sable wings involves the sky.</blockquote>4. The Rape of Lock by Alexander Pope (1712)<blockquote class="mc-text--italic mc-opacity--hinted mc-my-8 mc-mr-0 mc-ml-6 mc-pl-6">Here Thou, great Anna! whom three Realms obey, Dost sometimes Counsel take—and sometimes Tea.</blockquote>

4 Examples of Heroic Couplets

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A rhyming <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry","linkCopy":"couplet","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>couplet</a> is one of the simplest examples of poetic form: a pair of lines with end rhymes. Rhyming couplets can be found everywhere from the lyrical English poetry of Shakespeare to simple schoolyard nursery rhymes. A heroic couplet is a form of the couplet often found within epic or narrative poetry.

A rhyming <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-couplet-in-poetry","linkCopy":"couplet","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>couplet</a> is one of the simplest examples of poetic form: a pair of lines with end rhymes. Rhyming couplets can be found everywhere from the lyrical English poetry of Shakespeare to simple schoolyard nursery rhymes. A heroic couplet is a form of the couplet often found within epic or narrative poetry.

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Understanding the Heroic Couplet: Definition and Examples