Limerick (poetry)

:This article is about the poetic form. For other uses of the name, see Limerick (disambiguation).

Structure

The rhyme scheme is usually aabba, with a rather rigid meter. The first, second, and fifth lines are three metrical feet; the third and fourth two metrical feet. The rhythm is usually considered an anapestic foot, two short syllables and then a long, the reverse of dactyl rhythm. However, many substitutions are common.

Related Topics:
Rhyme - Meter - Metrical feet - Anapestic foot - Dactyl rhythm

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The first line traditionally introduces a person and a location, and usually ends with the name of the location, though sometimes with that of the person. A true limerick is supposed to have a kind of twist to it. This may lie in the final line, or it may lie in the way the rhymes are often intentionally tortured, or in both. Though not a strict requirement, the best limericks are usually those that additionally show some form of internal rhyme, often alliteration, sometimes assonance or another form of rhyme.

Related Topics:
Internal rhyme - Alliteration - Assonance

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