What is forced rhyme?

Forced rhyme is a term that describes a rhyming pattern in poetry in which the words are forced or unnatural. It occurs when a poet uses a rhyme that is not natural to the rhythm and flow of the poem. Forced rhymes can disrupt the musicality and flow of the verse and make it sound unnatural. While some poets may use forced rhymes to create humorous effects, they are generally frowned upon in traditional poetry. Here's an example:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

In this poem, the rhyme "star" and "are" is forced. The "r" sound in "star" and the "r" sound in "are" are not identical. This disrupts the natural flow of the poem and makes it sound unnatural.