What type of poetry consists of unrhymed lines with a regular rhythm, often in iambic pentameter?

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!

The type of poetry that consists of unrhymed lines with a regular rhythm, often in iambic pentameter, is known as blank verse. This form is characterized by its use of a consistent meter, which typically adheres to iambic pentameter, making it a staple in English dramatic and narrative poetry. Notably, Shakespeare frequently employed blank verse in his plays, allowing for a natural flow of speech while still maintaining a structured rhythm.

Other forms mentioned, such as free verse, do not adhere to a specific meter or rhyme scheme, thus resulting in a more unpredictable and varied line structure. Couplets consist of two consecutive rhymed lines, which contrasts sharply with the unrhymed nature of blank verse. Stanza refers to a grouped set of lines within a poem, but it does not denote any particular rhythmic or rhyming pattern. Blank verse stands out for its combination of regular rhythm without rhyme, making it a distinctive and widely used poetic form.

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