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Final doublet

Structure
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The concluding pair of lines in a poem that function as a unified rhetorical or thematic unit, often epigrammatic.

Detailed Definition
The final two lines of a poem functioning as a unified pair or doublet, often containing concentrated meaning or memorable expression. In sonnets, the final doublet frequently provides the work's most quoted lines, offering resolution or summary. The pairing creates emphasis through repetition of structure, with the two lines working together to provide closure, insight, or completion of the poem's argument.
Example
Example in poetry:
Shakespeare’s sonnets often close with a final doublet: “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee”; Alexander Pope’s couplets resolve with rhymed doublets for epigrammatic force; modern example: Terrance Hayes ends “American Sonnet” with “assassin / compassion”; final doublet provides sonic and thematic closure; it’s a hallmark of heroic couplets and epigrams; this technique reinforces argument through repetition.
Additional Notes
Often contains concentrated meaning or memorable expression. In sonnets, may provide the poem's most quoted lines. The pairing creates emphasis through repetition of structure.
Also Known As
Terminal pair Final couplet Closing doublet End pair Epode couplet
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