What form of poetry is "Four Quartets" considered to exemplify?

"Four Quartets," written by T.S. Eliot, is considered to exemplify formal verse primarily due to its structured use of meter, rhyme schemes, and its serious thematic content. Formal verse is characterized by strict patterns and forms, and in "Four Quartets," Eliot utilizes a specific rhythmic form and carefully crafted stanzas that give a distinct musical quality to the poem.

Each of the four parts of "Four Quartets" illustrates this adherence to form, as Eliot employs traditional poetic elements while also infusing them with modern philosophical and spiritual explorations. This blend creates a unique fusion of the conventional and the contemporary, embodying the essence of formal verse.

In contrast, while free verse lacks a regular meter and rhyme, "Four Quartets" clearly maintains a sense of structure. An epic typically involves a long, narrative poem focused on heroic deeds, which doesn't align with the introspective nature of Eliot's work. An ode, although also a formal type of poetry, typically focuses on praising or glorifying subjects, which is narrower in scope than what Eliot explores throughout "Four Quartets." Thus, the defining features of formal verse aptly describe the poetic form of Eliot’s profound work.