A feminine rhyme is a rhyme that matches two or more syllables, usually at the end of respective lines. Often the final syllable is unstressed.

Feminine rhyme in poetry

English

Feminine rhyme is relatively rare in English poetry and usually appears as a special effect. However, the Hudibrastic relies upon feminine rhyme for its comedy, and limericks will often employ outlandish feminine rhymes for their humor. Irish satirist Jonathan Swift wrote most of his poetry using feminine rhyme.

William Shakespeare's Sonnet number 20, uniquely among the sonnets, makes use exclusively of feminine rhymes:

“

A woman’s face with nature’s own hand painted, Hast thou, the master mistress of my passion; A woman’s gentle heart, but not acquainted With shifting change, as is false women’s fashion... But since she prick’d thee out for women’s pleasure, Mine be thy love and thy love’s use their treasure.

”

French

In French verse, a feminine rhyme is one in which the final syllable is a "silent" e, even if the word is masculine. In classical French poetry, two feminine rhymes cannot occur in succession.

See also

• Masculine rhyme

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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Feminine rhyme". Image Credit.

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