Which of the following is the characteristic of the Spenserian stanza invented by Edmund Spenser?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

The Spenserian stanza was invented by Edmund Spenser for his epic poem The Faerie Queene (1590, 1596). This stanza consists of nine lines, where:
The first eight lines are in iambic pentameter (five metrical feet per line: da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM).
The ninth line is an alexandrine (iambic hexameter), meaning it has six metrical feet instead of five, creating a slow and grand ending.
The rhyme scheme is ABABBCBCC, making it highly structured and melodic.


Information Booster:
Spenser created this stanza to give The Faerie Queene a distinctive poetic form, blending musicality with narrative flow.

Iambic Pentameter and Hexameter – The mix of iambic pentameter and alexandrine makes the stanza dynamic and grand.

The final hexameter line slows the rhythm and provides a majestic closing effect.

The Spenserian stanza influenced John Keats, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley, especially in narrative poetry.

Spenser used this form to celebrate Queen Elizabeth I and promote chivalric and moral ideals.

Rhyme Scheme Complexity – The ABABBCBCC pattern creates a rich, interwoven sound, enhancing its lyrical quality.