Richard Cory

“Richard Cory” is written in four heroic quatrains, or four four-line stanzas in iambic pentameter, following the English tradition of the heroic form. In addition, each line contains precisely 10 syllables. The form and meter are extremely consistent, demonstrating Robinson’s allegiance to tradition and classical forms. This tight meter gives the poem a singsong feel. The verse compels the reader to read it like a lyric, giving it the tone of a nursery rhyme, which aligns with its many fable-like qualities. The consistency in the syllables and the parallel structure of the lines within stanzas and the stanzas within the poem demonstrates Robinson’s mastery of language and this poem’s monolithic quality. The consistent allegiance to form and meter help to tie this poem together into a neat package that enhances its powerful message.

Not only does this poem stay highly consistent with its form and meter, but it also follows a strict rhyme scheme. The ABAB rhyme scheme emphasizes the nursery rhyme quality. Because the rhyme is so consistent and the