Welcome, word lovers! Today, we’re diving into a special kind of rhyme – one that adds a beautiful softness and musicality to poetry. It’s called Feminine Rhyme, and it’s about more than just the last sounds matching. Let’s explore!
What is Feminine Rhyme? (The Basics)
Simply put, Feminine Rhyme (also called Double Rhyme) occurs when a rhyme sounds like it matches on two syllables instead of just one. The final syllable receives the stressed beat, but the unstressed syllable before it also rhymes. It creates a more flowing, gentler sound than a typical, or “masculine,” rhyme.
Think of it like this: a regular rhyme is a quick, strong tap. Feminine rhyme is a softer, drawn-out echo.
Examples (Quick Look):
- flowing / glowing
- pleasure / measure
- butter / flutter
- hiding / riding
- later / cater
Notice how the sounds aren’t just at the end – “-ing”, “-ure”, “-er” – they extend back one syllable? That is the key!
Feminine Rhyme vs. Masculine Rhyme: A Clear Distinction
To really understand feminine rhyme, it’s helpful to compare it to the more common masculine rhyme.
Masculine Rhyme: Rhymes on the last stressed syllable. Think: cat / hat, bright / night, pain / rain. Strong, direct, and often found at the end of lines.
Feminine Rhyme: Rhymes on the second-to-last stressed syllable and the unstressed syllable immediately before it. More flowing, subtle, and can create a different rhythm.
Here’s a side‑by‑side example:
| Masculine Rhyme | Feminine Rhyme |
| Fly / Sky | Flutter / Cutter |
| Free / Tree | Worry / Hurry |
| Stone / Bone | Later / Cater |
Diving Deeper: How Feminine Rhyme Works in Practice
Let’s look at how this extra syllable affects the feel of a poem.
Example 1:
The cat sat on the mat, (Masculine)
The kitten was gently fluttering. (Feminine)
See how the “fluttering” line feels softer, more drawn‑out? The extra syllable gives it a gentler quality, fitting the image of a playful kitten.
Example 2:
The bright sun shone with grace, (Masculine)
A tender feeling, sweetly hovering. (Feminine)
The masculine rhyme feels a bit more definitive, while the feminine rhyme mirrors the delicate, lingering emotion.
Common Syllable Patterns in Feminine Rhyme
Certain syllable endings are more prone to creating feminine rhymes. Here are some of the most common:
- -er: better/letter, over/clover, ever/sever
- -or: door/floor, before/more
- -ing: singing/ringing, flying/crying, hearing/cheering
- -ed (often past tense verbs): needed/speeded, faded/shaded, wanted/planted
- -ow: slow/grow, know/show, flow/glow
- -en: broken/spoken, hidden/ridden
More Complex Examples & Nuances
Feminine rhyme isn’t always perfectly clear‑cut. Sometimes, the second syllable is weakly stressed, or the rhyme is slightly imperfect. This is perfectly acceptable and adds to the natural flow of poetry.
Example 1 (Slightly Imperfect Feminine Rhyme):
“The waves were breaking,
A secret the ocean was making.”
While not a perfect rhyme (the vowel sounds are slightly different), the rhythm and feeling created by the matching “-ing” sounds still function as a feminine rhyme.
Example 2 (Weaker Second Syllable Stress):
“I wandered alone by the shore,
Remembering days gone before.”
The second syllable in “before” is not strongly stressed, but the similar sound still contributes to the feminine rhyme.
Example 3 (Extended Feminine Rhyme – Three Syllable Rhyme):
“The melody was clearly appearing,
A whimsical thought softly steering.”
This example shows how feminine rhyme can extend beyond two syllables, creating a more complex and musical effect. This is rarer, but possible!
Where is Feminine Rhyme Often Used?
- Ballads and Folk Songs: These traditional forms frequently employ feminine rhyme to create a sing‑song quality.
- Lyrical Poetry: Poets often use feminine rhyme to create a softer, more musical tone, particularly when exploring themes of love, nature, or nostalgia.
- Humorous Verse: The gentle quality of feminine rhyme can be used literally, adding a playful twist to the subject.
- To Slow Down the Pace: By adding an extra syllable, feminine rhyme naturally slows down the rhythm of the poem, inviting the reader to linger on the words.
Practicing with Feminine Rhyme
The best way to master feminine rhyme is to practice! Try these exercises:
- Rhyme Chains: Start with a word and try to create a chain of rhymes, aiming for both masculine and feminine rhymes.
- Rewrite Lines: Take lines of poetry with masculine rhyme and try to rewrite them using feminine rhyme.
- Write Your Own Poems: Challenge yourself to write a short poem using primarily feminine rhyme.
When you’re comfortable with these techniques, try a few more and keep experimenting. Happy rhyming!