What does the term 'canto' refer to in poetry?

The term 'canto' specifically refers to a major division of a long poem, often used in epic poetry. Each canto can be seen as a chapter within the larger narrative, facilitating the organization and structure of a lengthy work. This structure allows poets to break complex narratives into more digestible sections, giving readers a clearer framework to follow the progression of the story or themes presented. Canto often enhances the overall formality and grandeur of epic poems, as seen in works like Dante's "Divine Comedy" or Lord Byron's "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," which are both divided into cantos that guide the reader through the unfolding tale.

In contrast, a type of narrative poem refers to a broader category of poetry that tells a story, but it does not capture the structural aspect that 'canto' implies. A specific rhyme scheme pertains to the pattern of sounds at the ends of lines in poetry, which does not relate directly to the division of content. Similarly, a style of verse refers to general characteristics of the language and form a poet might use, but it does not denote the specific organizational division used in lengthy poems like a canto does.