What is the Rhyme Scheme of the Poem “When You Are Old”?

What is the rhyme scheme of the poem “When You Are Old”? Explain.

Poetry has a special way of capturing emotions and beauty in just a few lines. William Butler Yeats’ (1865-1939) poem, “When You Are Old,” (1893) is a great example. It speaks about love, time, and the changes that come with age. The rhyme scheme in this poem plays an important role in how it sounds and feels.

Rhyme Scheme Explanation

The rhyme scheme of “When You Are Old” follows the pattern ABBA. This means that the first and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme, and the second and third lines rhyme with each other. Let’s look at the first stanza:

• Line 1: “When you are old and grey and full of sleep,” (A)
• Line 2: “And nodding by the fire, take down this book,” (B)
• Line 3: “And slowly read, and dream of the soft look” (B)
• Line 4: “Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep.” (A)

Here, the first and fourth lines rhyme (“sleep” and “deep”), and the second and third lines rhyme (“book” and “look”). This pattern continues in the second and third stanza (ABBA). 

The rhyme scheme helps make the poem smooth and musical. It also gives a sense of order, even as the poem talks about change and loss. This makes Yeats’ message even more powerful.