<P> While couplets traditionally rhyme, not all do . Poems may use white space to mark out couplets if they do not rhyme . Couplets in iambic pentameter are called heroic couplets . John Dryden in the 16--17th century and Alexander Pope in the 18th century were both well known for their writing in heroic couplets . The Poetic epigram is also in the couplet form . Couplets can also appear as part of more complex rhyme schemes, such as sonnets . </P> <P> Rhyming couplets are one of the simplest rhyme schemes in poetry . Because the rhyme comes so quickly, it tends to call attention to itself . Good rhyming couplets tend to "explode" as both the rhyme and the idea come to a quick close in two lines . Here are some examples of rhyming couplets where the sense as well as the sound "rhymes": </P> <Dl> <Dd> <Dl> <Dd> True wit is nature to advantage dress'd; </Dd> <Dd> What oft was thought, but ne'er so well express'd . </Dd> <Dd>--Alexander Pope </Dd> </Dl> </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> <Dl> <Dd> True wit is nature to advantage dress'd; </Dd> <Dd> What oft was thought, but ne'er so well express'd . </Dd> <Dd>--Alexander Pope </Dd> </Dl> </Dd>

Rhyming couplet at the end of a sonnet