Heroic Couplet: Literary Device

Etymology of Heroic Couplet

The literary device heroic couplet is a poetic form that emerged during the Restoration period in English literature. It soon reached its zenith in the 18th century.

Its etymology, however, originates from the French heroic couplet, known as couplet héroïque.” Itcomprises two rhymed lines in iambic pentameter. English poets John Dryden and Alexander Pope soon adopted this form and popularized it.

The “heroic” aspect of this term arises from the subject matter often addressed in these couplets which includes heroic themes, moral lessons, and philosophical reflections. The structured and balanced nature of the heroic couplet lent itself well to expressing wit, satire, and intellectual profundity, making it a dominant verse form in neoclassical poetry during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Meanings of Heroic Couplet

1. Poetic form with two rhymed lines.
2. Originated from the French “couplet héroïque.”
3. Consists of lines written in iambic pentameter.
4. Emerged during the Restoration period in English literature.
5. Adopted and refined by English poets like John Dryden and Alexander Pope.
6. Addresses heroic themes.
7. Conveys moral lessons and philosophical reflections.
8. Expresses wit and satire.
9. Dominant verse form in neoclassical poetry during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Heroic Couplet in Grammar

It is a noun phrase that refers to a specific poetic form consisting of two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter, often used to address heroic themes, convey moral lessons, and express wit and satire.

Definition of Heroic Couplet

It is a type of rhymed poetry consisting of two lines of iambic pentameter with a rhyme at the end. It is often used in poetry to create a sense of closure or completion at the end of a passage, and to emphasize key themes or messages.

Types of Heroic Couplet

There are several different types of this term, each with its own unique characteristics and uses in poetry. Here are a few examples:

Type of Heroic Couplet	Features	Example
Classic Heroic Couplet	Consists of two rhymed lines in iambic pentameter.	“A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.” Alexander Pope, “An Essay on Criticism”
Satirical Heroic Couplet	Conveys wit and satire with a humorous or critical tone.	“I am his Highness’ dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?” Alexander Pope, “Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot”
Philosophical Heroic Couplet	Addresses profound philosophical ideas and reflections.	Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man.” Alexander Pope, “Essay on Man”
Moral Heroic Couplet	Conveys moral lessons and ethical insights.	“Heaven’s first law is to love thyself; Earth’s second is to love thyself. Benjamin Franklin, “Poor Richard’s Almanack”
Romantic Heroic Couplet	Focuses on themes of love, passion, and emotion.	If this be error and upon me proved,      I never writ, nor no man ever loved. William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116
Epic Heroic Couplet	Used in epic poetry to narrate grand heroic adventures.	“Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.” Homer, “The Iliad”

Examples of Heroic Couplets

1. From “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer:

Example:

To riden out, he loved chivalrie,

Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.

Explanation: In this heroic couplet, Chaucer introduces the Knight, a character admired for his noble qualities, including his love for chivalry, truth, and courtesy, as well as his commitment to living a life of peace and charity.

• From “The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope:

Example:

“Belinda now, whom thirst of fame invites,

Burns to encounter two adventurous knights.”

Explanation: Pope, in “The Rape of the Lock,” uses this couplet to describe Belinda, the poem’s protagonist, who is eagerly seeking fame. The line humorously portrays her as a brave adventurer facing the challenges posed by her two suitors.

• From “Essay on Criticism” by Alexander Pope:

Example:

“A little learning is a dang’rous thing;

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.”

Explanation: In this famous couplet, Pope warns against shallow knowledge, stating that it can be perilous. He advises readers to either fully immerse themselves in learning or avoid it altogether, comparing genuine knowledge to the Pierian spring of Greek mythology.

• From “The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope: Example:

“Not louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast,

When husbands or when lapdogs breathe their last.”

Explanation: This couplet humorously exaggerates the emotional reaction of Belinda when she loses a lock of hair. Pope compares her distress to the exaggerated grief displayed when someone loses a spouse or even a beloved pet lapdog.

Suggested Readings about Heroic Couplet

1. Dryden, John. An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. Oxford University Press, 1688.
2. Johnson, Samuel. The Vanity of Human Wishes. Penguin Classics, 2003.
3. Pope, Alexander. The Works of Alexander Pope: Volume I – Pastoral Poetry and An Essay on Criticism. University of California Press, 2019.
4. Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver’s Travels. Signet Classics, 2012.
5. Warton, Thomas. Observations on the Faerie Queene of Spenser. Cambridge University Press, 2015.