George Herbert · English Literature

What is unique about the rhyme scheme in Herbert’s 'Denial'?

  1. Every line rhymes with the word 'No' as a symbol of refusal
  2. The final line of each stanza is unrhymed until the very last stanza, when it finally resolves
  3. There are no rhymes anywhere in the poem except for the closing couplet
  4. The rhyme scheme uses only identical repeated words, never true rhymes
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: The final line of each stanza is unrhymed until the very last stanza, when it finally resolves

The 'disorder' of the speaker's soul is reflected in the broken rhyme scheme of the stanzas. In the final stanza, when the speaker's prayer is granted, the rhyme is completed, signifying that his soul is 'chiming' again in harmony with God.

Difficulty: Medium Question 18 of 20

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