Comprehensive Notes on Rhythm in Poetry

Rhythm in poetry refers to the beat or musicality that a poem has. Rhythm makes a poem feel musical.
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Rhythm-in-Poetry

What is rhythm?

Rhythm in poetry refers to the beat or musicality that a poem has. Rhythm makes a poem feel musical.

Common Questions on Rhythm in Poetry

  • How has rhythm been achieved in the poem?

How is rhythm achieved in poetry?

Rhythm in poetry is achieved through the use of:
1. sound devices of a poem that includes Alliteration, assonance, consonance
2. Rhyme and Rhyming words ---- List down the pairs of rhyming words
3. A regular rhyme scheme. --- Only give this when the pattern is regular.
4. Use lines of equal length.
5. Equal distribution of stressed and unstressed syllables.
6. Repetition of subsequent lines.

1. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the INITIAL CONSONANT SOUND at the beginning of words that
are in close proximity. It should be noted that it is the sounds that alliterate and not the
Letters.
Example of Alliteration

Since now Such Splendid Sight Seem – the /s/ sound has been alliterated
Kamau keeps cups in the cupboard /k/ sound has been alliterated.

2. Assonance

Assonance is the repetition of the same vowel sound within a line of a poem in close proximity.
Example. He pricked his shrinking body vividly /i/ has been repeated.
He was told to graze the goat by the road /o/ has been repeated.

3. Consonance.

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within a line but not at the initial position of words.
Example. Scarcely heard silver and gold she searched /d/ has been repeated.


Importance of sound devices/ what sound devices achieve.

  • Gives a poem a musical touch/feel or rhythmic effect
  • Makes the poem's message memorable.
  • Makes the poem interesting and enjoyable. Pleasure is derived from reciting a poem
  • Helps to reinforce the meaning of a poem.
  • Helps create mood in a poem.

Examples of assonance and alliteration in a poem

On the road

the moon is up: the trees detach

Themselves from firmness landscapes

To assume a courtly grace

Cloud-bank scatters are light-edge blades

That pale the sparse occasional stars.

 

The wide sighs its sensuous

Openness stirring my minds delight

To a transfiguring tenderness

As stars harden to spearpoint brilliance

And focus fierce demands for peace.

By DENNIS BRUTUS,South Africa.

i. Identify instances of alliteration in this poem.
The wide sighs its sensuous. The/s/ sound has been alliterated.
To a transfiguring tenderness /t/ sound has been alliterated.


ii. Identify instances of assonance in the poem.

That pale the sparse occasional stars. /a/ sound has been repeated
The wide sighs its sensuous /i/ sound has been repeated

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