What is a fourteen-line poem in iambic pentameter called?

Study for AP English Literature and Composition. Enhance your understanding with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question providing hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

A fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter is known as a sonnet. This form of poetry is characterized by its specific structure, typically consisting of 14 lines that follow a particular rhyme scheme. The most common types of sonnets are the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet, which has a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, and the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet, which typically follows an ABBAABBACDCDCD pattern.

The significance of iambic pentameter lies in its rhythmic quality, which mimics the natural flow of spoken English, typically arranged in five metrical feet (or iambs). Each iamb contains an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, creating a rhythm that can invoke emotion and intensity in the poem.

In contrast, an ode is a formal lyric poem that expresses praise or contemplation, a ballad is a narrative poem that tells a story (often in a musical form), and a lyric poem is a broad category that encompasses any poem expressing personal thoughts and feelings, not specifically bound to a 14-line structure or iambic pentameter. Thus, the classification of a sonnet accurately reflects both the structure and

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