The rhyme scheme of the poem "The Harp of India" is ababbabcdcdcbb. This distinctive pattern guides the sound and structure of the 14-line sonnet.
Understanding the Rhyme Scheme
"The Harp of India," while a sonnet, employs a rhyme scheme that deviates significantly from traditional sonnet forms like the Shakespearean (abab cdcd efef gg) or Petrarchan (abbaabba cdecde/cdcdcd). Its unique structure contributes to its specific poetic expression.
The full rhyme scheme can be broken down line by line to illustrate how the end rhymes connect throughout the poem:
| Line Number | Rhyme Sound |
|---|---|
| 1 | a |
| 2 | b |
| 3 | a |
| 4 | b |
| 5 | b |
| 6 | a |
| 7 | b |
| 8 | c |
| 9 | d |
| 10 | c |
| 11 | d |
| 12 | c |
| 13 | b |
| 14 | b |
This particular arrangement creates a unique flow and emphasis within the poem. While sonnets traditionally consist of an octave (first eight lines) and a sestet (last six lines), "The Harp of India" is noted to have mainly two sections, subtly divided by its unique rhyming structure. The concluding bb couplet provides a strong sense of closure, even within this unconventional framework.
