Introduction

Poems are a fantastic way to explore the sounds and rhythms of language. One of the captivating techniques poets use is alliteration. But what exactly is alliteration, and how can you spot it in a poem? In simple terms, alliteration is the repetition of the same sound – usually a consonant sound – at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence. It’s a powerful tool that poets use to create musicality, emphasize certain words, and make their verses more memorable.

In this article, we’ll dive into the delightful world of alliteration, exploring poems that beautifully showcase this literary device. Get ready to hear the sounds of poetry come alive!

What is Alliteration?

Before we jump into examples, let’s solidify our understanding of alliteration. It’s not just about repeating any letter; it’s about repeating sounds. Typically, alliteration involves consonant sounds, but it can sometimes include vowel sounds as well (though this is less common and often referred to as assonance if focusing on vowel sounds within words, or consonance if focusing on consonant sounds within or at the end of words).

The key is the repetition of the initial sound in closely connected words. This repetition can create a sense of rhythm, emphasize certain words, and add a musical quality to the writing. It’s a technique used across many forms of writing, but it shines particularly brightly in poetry.

Poems That Show Alliteration: Examples

Now, let’s explore some poems and excerpts where alliteration takes center stage. We’ll look at examples from classic and contemporary poetry to illustrate how versatile and effective alliteration can be.

• Example 1: «The Rime of the Ancient Mariner» by Samuel Taylor Coleridge «The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew,
  The furrow followed free;
  We were the first that ever burst
  Into that silent sea.» In this excerpt from Coleridge’s famous poem, notice the repetition of the ‘f’ and ‘b’ sounds. ‘Fair freeze,’ ‘foam flew,’ and ‘furrow followed free’ – these phrases roll off the tongue and create a sense of the wind and the ship’s movement. The ‘b’ in ‘breeze blew’ and ‘burst’ adds a subtle percussive effect. Coleridge masterfully uses alliteration to evoke the scene and enhance the poem’s rhythm.
• Example 2: Popular Nursery Rhyme: «Peter Piper» «Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
  A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
  If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
  Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?» This well-known nursery rhyme is all about alliteration! The repeated ‘p’ sound is so prominent and playful that it’s hard to miss. ‘Peter Piper picked’ – the phrase becomes a tongue twister precisely because of the alliteration. This rhyme is a fantastic example of how alliteration can be fun and memorable, especially for children learning about sounds and language.
• Example 3: «From forth the fatal loins of these two foes» from «Romeo and Juliet» by William Shakespeare «From forth the fatal loins of these two foes;
  A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;» Shakespeare, a master of language, uses alliteration throughout his plays and poems. Here, in the prologue to Romeo and Juliet, the repetition of the ‘f’ sound in ‘From forth fatal foes’ emphasizes the idea of fate and conflict right from the beginning. The soft, almost mournful ‘f’ sound adds to the tragic tone being set.
• Example 4: A More Modern Example «Silently, snow swirled, a soft, still scene.» In this short, simple line, the ‘s’ sound is repeated to create a sense of quiet and the gentle falling of snow. ‘Silently, snow swirled, soft, still scene’ – the sibilant ‘s’ sound mimics the hushed atmosphere of a snowy landscape. Even in a short phrase, alliteration can be very effective.
• Example 5: «Assonance» by Gerard Manley Hopkins (Example Playing with Vowels and Consonants) «We caught her, clipped her wings, and clapped her in the cloister,
  A carpenter built her a cage.» While primarily known for consonance and sprung rhythm, Hopkins also uses alliteration (and related sound devices) with mastery. In this excerpt, we see the repetition of the ‘c’ sound, but also a subtle play with ‘l’ sounds in «clipped,» «clapped,» «cloister,» and «carpenter built.» This creates a dense texture of sound, almost mimicking the restrictive environment described. It showcases how alliteration can be interwoven with other sound devices for richer effect. It’s important to note that while the ‘c’ is a clear alliteration, the ‘l’ sounds are bordering on consonance, showing how these devices can sometimes overlap and blend.
• Example 6: «Kubla Khan» by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Another Coleridge Example, Showing Different Sonority) «In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
  A stately pleasure-dome decree:» Again from Coleridge, but showcasing a different sound. Here, we have the strong ‘k’ sound in «Kubla Khan» and the softer ‘s’ and ‘p’ sounds in «stately pleasure-dome». The ‘k’ alliteration is bold and striking, fitting for the majestic subject of Kubla Khan, while the ‘s’ and ‘p’ sounds add a flowing, almost dreamlike quality, reflecting the exotic and fantastical setting. This example demonstrates how alliteration can be used to create contrasting sonic textures within a poem.
• Example 7: Anonymous, Nursery Rhyme «She sells seashells» «She sells sea-shells by the sea-shore.
  The shells she sells are surely sea-shells.
  So if she sells sea-shells on the sea-shore,
  I’m sure she sells sea-shore shells.» This is another very famous tongue-twister nursery rhyme. The ‘s’ sound dominates throughout. “She sells sea-shells” – the repetition of the hissing ‘s’ sound perfectly evokes the sound of the sea and the shells themselves. This example is excellent for showing how alliteration can be used to create a very specific sound effect and rhythm, and again highlights the playful and memorable nature of alliteration, especially for younger learners.
• Example 8: Contemporary Example (Potentially Invented) «Brave bright blue birds flew by.» This short, invented line offers a very simple and direct example of ‘b’ alliteration. «Brave bright blue birds» – the repeated ‘b’ sound is cheerful and energetic, reflecting the vibrant image of bluebirds in flight. Creating a simple example like this can help solidify understanding, showing that alliteration doesn’t have to be complex or from famous poems to be effective. It’s also easy for students to imitate when they try to write their own examples.

Why Do Poets Use Alliteration?

Poets employ alliteration for a variety of reasons, all of which contribute to the richness and impact of their work:

• Musicality and Rhythm: Alliteration adds a musical quality to poetry, making it more pleasing to the ear and creating a rhythmic effect. It can emphasize the beat and flow of the lines.
• Emphasis and Memory: Repeated sounds draw attention to specific words or phrases, making them stand out and become more memorable for the reader or listener.
• Creating Atmosphere and Tone: The sounds themselves can contribute to the overall mood of a poem. Soft sounds might create a gentle atmosphere, while harsher sounds could convey tension or conflict.
• Sensory Engagement: Alliteration engages our senses, making the experience of reading or hearing poetry more vivid and immersive. It’s not just about the meaning of the words, but also about how they sound.

How to Identify Alliteration?

Spotting alliteration is a skill that improves with practice! Here are a few tips to help you identify it:

1. Listen for Sounds: Read the poem aloud! Your ears are your best tool. Pay attention to the sounds that repeat at the beginning of words.
2. Look for Repetition at the Beginning: Alliteration typically involves the repetition of the initial sound of words that are close together.
3. Focus on Consonants: While vowel sounds can sometimes be alliterative, consonant alliteration is much more common. Listen especially for repeated ‘b’, ‘c’, ‘d’, ‘f’, ‘g’, ‘h’, ‘j’, ‘k’, ‘l’, ‘m’, ‘n’, ‘p’, ‘q’, ‘r’, ‘s’, ‘t’, ‘v’, ‘w’, ‘x’, ‘y’, ‘z’ sounds.
4. Not All Letter Repetitions Count: Remember, it’s about the sound, not just the letter. For example, ‘cat’ and ‘city’ start with the same letter, but the initial sounds are different (/k/ and /s/ respectively). True alliteration requires the sound to be the same or very similar.

Conclusion

Alliteration is a delightful and effective literary device that adds depth, musicality, and memorability to poetry. By recognizing and appreciating alliteration, we can unlock a richer understanding and enjoyment of poems. So, the next time you read a poem, listen closely for those repeated sounds – you might just discover a hidden layer of artistry you hadn’t noticed before!

We encourage you to explore more poems and see if you can identify the alliteration within them. Happy reading and sound-discovering!

What are some of your favorite examples of alliteration in poems? Share them in the comments below! Or, try writing your own short poem using alliteration and share it with us!