Here's a breakdown:
* Two Lines: A couplet is always made up of two lines.
* Rhyme: Couplets usually rhyme, but this isn't always the case.
* Meter: Couplets often have the same meter, meaning the lines have a similar rhythm and number of syllables.
Examples:
* Shakespearean Sonnets: Shakespearean sonnets often end with a couplet. Here's an example from Sonnet 18:
> "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
> So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."
* Heroic Couplets: These are found in poems like Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock," and they consist of two rhyming lines written in iambic pentameter (five pairs of unstressed/stressed syllables per line).
Uses in Poetry:
* Closure: Couplets can be used to provide a sense of closure to a poem, like in a Shakespearean sonnet.
* Emphasis: They can draw attention to a particular idea or thought.
* Wit and Humor: Couplets can be used for witty or humorous effect.
Remember: While couplets are a common poetic form, not all poems that contain pairs of lines are considered couplets. The key factors are the presence of rhyme and meter.