This question is based on General Literary Principles. A poem of eight rhyming lines is

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2024 Subject: Literature In English

Question 1 Report

This question is based on General Literary Principles.

A poem of eight rhyming lines is

Answer Details

A poem of eight rhyming lines is called an octave. An octave consists of eight lines in a poem, and these lines often share a common rhyme scheme or pattern. Traditionally, octaves are used in various poetic forms like the Italian sonnet, where it serves as the first part of the poem, followed by a sestet. An octave should not be confused with other forms such as:


  • Quatrain: This is a stanza or a complete poem consisting of four lines with a rhyme scheme.
  • Sonnet: A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter.
  • Limerick: A limerick is a humorous five-line poem with a rhyme scheme of AABBA.

In summary, the defining feature of an octave is that it is composed of eight lines, making it distinct from other poetic structures with differing line counts.

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