Heroic Couplet

A heroic couplet is a pair of lines written in iambic pentameter (five beats per line), where both lines rhyme with each other. This form became popular in English poetry during the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in epic and satirical poems. The term “heroic” comes from its use in serious, elevated subjects—like heroism, politics, or moral reflection. In other words, a heroic couplet is like poetry’s version of a well-crafted argument—structured, rhythmic, and elegantly rhymed.

Each line in a heroic couplet follows a da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM rhythm (iambic pentameter), and the two lines rhyme at the end. For example, in Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel:

In pious times, ere priestcraft did begin,

Before polygamy was made a sin.

Here, “begin” rhymes with “sin,” and both lines have ten syllables with a steady beat.

The couplet often expresses a complete thought, making it easy to quote and remember. This structure helps poets deliver sharp, witty, or philosophical ideas with clarity and punch. Heroic couplets are powerful because they combine rhythm, rhyme, and reason. Poets like Dryden and Pope used them to criticize politics, mock hypocrisy, or reflect on human nature. The tight structure forces the poet to be precise and clever.

For instance, Pope’s famous line: To err is human, to forgive divine. This is a heroic couplet—short, memorable, and meaningful.