How does rhyme in French verse create and interfere with poetic meaning? Despite the importance of the topic, it has gone neglected until this study, which examines features peculiar to French rhyme; explores their contribution to poetic structure, meaning, and semantic productivity; and tests current methods of classifying rhymes. Also included are reappraisals of important poetic works by Racine, Moliere, Voltaire, Verlaine, and Aragon.