What are the last two lines of Shakespeare called?

The Final Flourish: Unveiling Shakespeare’s Couplet Closures

Shakespeare’s impact on the English language and literature is undeniable. While his plays are renowned for their complex characters, dramatic plots, and poetic dialogue, his sonnets, particularly, showcase a unique artistry. One of the most recognizable features of these fourteen-line masterpieces is their concluding flourish – a powerful couplet, a pair of rhyming lines that resonate long after the poem itself is finished.

But what are the last two lines of a Shakespearean sonnet called? While the answer may seem simple, understanding their purpose and significance elevates our appreciation of the Bard’s genius. The answer is, of course, a couplet.

However, calling them simply “a couplet” doesn’t fully capture their importance. Shakespeare didn’t just tack on two rhyming lines; he carefully crafted them to serve as a mini-conclusion, a distilled essence of the sonnet’s central theme.

Think of it like this: the first twelve lines of a Shakespearean sonnet typically explore a question, a conflict, or a complex idea, often following the traditional structure of three quatrains. The final couplet then acts as the answer, the resolution, or the key to understanding the poem’s underlying message. It’s a succinct and often surprising twist that re-contextualizes everything that came before.

These couplets provide a sense of satisfying completion, neatly tying up loose ends and offering a final perspective. They can be epigrammatic, offering a witty or insightful observation. They can be emotionally charged, delivering a poignant or heart-wrenching conclusion. Or they can be reflective, prompting the reader to contemplate the sonnet’s themes long after they’ve finished reading.

Ultimately, while the entire sonnet contributes to its overall power, the final couplet is often the element that leaves the most lasting impression. It’s the concentrated dose of Shakespearean brilliance that solidifies the poem’s message and cements its place in literary history. So, while the term is simply “couplet,” the role they play in Shakespeare’s sonnets is far more significant than their mere name suggests. They are the finishing touch, the final brushstroke, the ultimate demonstration of his masterful poetic craft.