Strophe: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is mostly used in the context of ancient Greek poetry or choral odes. It refers to a structural division in lyric poetry, often indicating a movement or turn of the chorus.

• The poet's mastery is evident in the seamless transition from one strophe to the next.
• In Greek literature, each strophe is paired with an antistrophe, creating a balanced structure.

Verse can refer to a single line or a section of a longer poem. It is a general term that encompasses both individual lines and larger units in a poem, often used more broadly than 'line' or 'stanza'.

• The poet's use of free verse allowed for greater expression and creativity.
• Each verse in the song rhymed perfectly, adding to its melodic quality.

A stanza is a grouped set of lines within a poem, often separated by a space from other stanzas. It is a structural division similar to a paragraph in prose.

• The third stanza of the poem reveals the climax of the narrative.
• She composed a four-line stanza that captured the essence of the autumn season.

A line is a basic unit of poetry, referring to a single row of words. It is universally used across all forms of poetry and is the simplest building block of a poem.

• The first line of the poem sets a melancholic tone.
• Each line in the sonnet follows a specific rhythmic pattern.