Limerick – What Exactly Is A Limerick In Literature? (Answers)

Answers To The Question: What Is A Limerick?

LIMERICK – In the field of literature, there are many forms of literary works. Each of them has its own unique use to portray different narratives.

Limerick - What Exactly Is A Limerick In Literature? (Answers)
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In this article, we will be learning more about Limericks used in the fields of literature – its history, and some examples.

What is a limerick? It is actually a form of verse that is humorous and rude in nature. It consists of a five-line, predominantly anapestic meter.

Adding to this, it also follows a strict rhyme scheme of AABBA. This is the first, second, and fifth rhyme with the third and fourth lines being shorter but share a different rhyme.

According to an article from Literary Devices, here are some examples of Limericks:

There was a young lady of station
‘I love man’ was her sole exclamation;
But when men cried: ‘You flatter,’
She replied, ‘Oh! no matter
Isle of Man is the true explanation.

I saw a melted stick of butter
With the heat of the sun it flutters
Put out too long
Don’t know what’s going on
So now I need to fear my mother

A man hired by John Smith and Co.
Loudly declared that he’d tho.
Men that he saw
Dumping dirt near his door
The drivers, therefore, didn’t do

Poets often use this form of writing to convey or create funny humorous imagery. Its purpose is to replace the everyday expression with unusual alternatives to express emotion.

The first four lines create a joke and the fifth ends with a punch line. It is also used in many nursery rhymes to get kids entertained while reading.

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