What Is an 11 Line Poem Called? Understanding the Roundel Poem

Discover what an 11-line poem is called and learn about the Roundel poetic form made famous by Algernon Charles Swinburne.

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An 11-line poem is called a Roundel. It is a form of verse similar to the Rondeau and consists of three stanzas: A, B, A (refrain), A, B, A, B, A (refrain). This form was popularized in English by poets such as Algernon Charles Swinburne.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What defines a Roundel poem? A Roundel is an 11-line poem consisting of three stanzas with a rhyme scheme and refrains similar to the Rondeau, often structured as A, B, A (refrain), A, B, A, B, A (refrain).
  2. Who popularized the Roundel form in English poetry? Algernon Charles Swinburne is credited with popularizing the Roundel form in English poetry.
  3. How is a Roundel different from a Rondeau? While both are similar French-derived forms with refrains and rhyme schemes, the Roundel typically has 11 lines and its own specific stanzaic structure, different from the longer Rondeau.