What is a canto in poetry?

Answer 1

Think of a canto in a poem as about the same as a chapter in a novel. It is a smaller portion, but not as small as a stanza, of a larger work.

Answer 2

A canto is a subdivision of an epic poem, typically long and containing a specific theme or story within the larger narrative. Cantos are often used to structure lengthy poems and help organize the various elements of the narrative.

Answer 3

A Canto is a division of a long poem much like the way a book is divided into chapters.

The Divine Comedy written by Dante is separated into 100 cantos for example