Question

Read this excerpt from “Death, Be Not Proud” by John Donne. What rhyme scheme does the poem use?

Answer 1

Abab 
because every other line rhymes <span />

Answer 2

The correct answer is D. abba

Explanation:

In poetry, the rhyme scheme is defined by the repetition of sounds at the end of verses and the pattern of the scheme this creates. In the case of the abba rhyme scheme, this occurs in stanzas of four verses in which the first and last verse rhyme and the second and third rhyme. This rhyme scheme can be seen in the excerpt from "Death, Be Not Proud" because in the case of the first stanza the word "thee" from the first verse and "me" from the last verse rhyme, also, in the first stanza "so"from the second verse and "overthrow" from the third verse rhyme creating and abba pattern. This also applies to the second stanza as "be" and "delivery" rhyme and "flow" and "go" rhyme.