Quatrain - GCSE English Language Definition

A quatrain is a stanza made up of four lines. It often follows a regular rhyme scheme, such as ABAB or AABB, but this can vary. Quatrains are common in many types of poetry, including sonnets, ballads, and hymns.

Writers use quatrains to create rhythm, structure, and flow in a poem. They can help build ideas or emotions in stages, with each quatrain adding a new layer. In GCSE English Literature, recognising quatrains can help you analyse a poem’s form, rhyme, and how the poet organises their ideas.

Example of quatrain in a GCSE text

In Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the first four lines form a quatrain:

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.”

This quatrain sets the tone of the poem and introduces the speaker’s deep and spiritual love, using structure to build meaning.