Rhyme Scheme of the Poem “Sonnet 18”.

Rhyme scheme of the poem “Sonnet 18”.

William Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) “Sonnet 18” (1609) is one of the most famous poems in English literature. It praises the beauty of the poet’s beloved. Shakespeare uses a lovely structure and rhyme to make the poem musical and memorable. The rhyme scheme of the poem is a key part of its charm.

The rhyme scheme follows the pattern ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This is called the Shakespearean sonnet form. The poem has 14 lines. The first 12 lines are divided into three quatrains. A quatrain is a group of four lines. The last two lines form a rhyming couplet.

In the first quatrain (ABAB), the rhyme is:

• day (A)
• temperate (B)
• May (A)
• date (B)

In the second quatrain (CDCD), the rhyme changes:

• shines (C)
• dimmed (D)
• declines (C)
• untrimmed (D)

The third quatrain (EFEF) follows a similar pattern:

• fade (E)
• ow’st (F)
• shade (E)
• grow’st (F)

The poem ends with the rhyming couplet (GG):

• see (G)
• thee (G)

This rhyme scheme creates a smooth flow. It makes the poem easy to read and remember. The couplet at the end gives the poem a strong conclusion. Shakespeare’s rhyme scheme adds beauty to the poem’s timeless message.