Definition of Alliteration
Alliteration is a literary device that makes use of the repetition of the same consonant sound in the initial syllable of the neighboring words.
Etymology of Alliteration
The word Alliteration comes from a Latin word “littera” which means “letter of the alphabet”. This term was first used in the fifteen century by an Italian humanist called Giovanni Pontano.
Explanation of Alliteration
Alliteration is a special case of consonance having repeated consonant sounds in the stressed syllable. It is also known as the head rhyme or inner rhyme. Alliteration does not depend on the initial “letter” but the initial “sound”.
For example “Nancy Newton has Knobby knees ” is an example of alliteration because the initial sounds of both the words are the same, though the initial letters are different. In the case of “Circular Cats Chomp Chocolate” though the initial letters are the same but the initial sounds are different so it is not an example of alliteration.
Alliteration Usage
Alliteration is used in literature such as prose and poetry as well as in common speech.
In literature, alliteration is used to create a musical and rhythmic effect in a piece of writing. It makes the literary piece appealing and attractive to the reader. It makes writing fluent and beautiful. The literary piece which makes use of alliteration is easy to memorize. It is used to emphasize something in the literary piece.
Alliteration also adds to the mood of a poem. If soft sounds are repeated at the beginning of successive words in a line of the poem, the mood of the poem becomes soft and peaceful. If harsh sounds are repeated, the mood becomes harsh and tense.
Alliteration is also used in public speaking. It appeals to the auditory senses of the audience and attracts them towards the speech. That is why it is used by the public speakers to grab the attention of the audience.
Alliteration is used as a Tongue-twister in daily life. Just like the Tongue-twister by Carolyn Wells; “Betty Botter bought a bit of butter, but she said, this butter’s bitter; if I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter, but a bit of better butter will make my bitter butter better.” This tongue-twister is an alliteration, repeating the sound “b” at the beginning of successive words.
It is used in the names of different people in real life as well as in the names of characters in fiction. For example William Wordsworth, Mickey Mouse, etc.
Alliteration is also used in the names of different companies and brands in order to attract buyers and to enhance sales. For example Coca-cola, The Scotch and Sirloin, etc.
Examples of Alliteration from Literature
- “Acquainted with the Night” by Robert Frost:
“I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet.”
This is a good example of alliteration. The “s” sound is repeated in the beginning of successive words.
- “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare:
“And churlish chiding of the winter’s wind/ Which, when it bites and blows upon my body.”
The repetition of “ch”, “w” and “b” sounds are the examples of alliteration.
- “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.”
The sounds “b”, “f”, “w” and “s” are repeated in the above lines to illustrate the examples of alliteration.
- “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare:
“From forth the fatal loins these two foes;
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”
The repetition of “f” and “l” sounds show alliteration in the above lines.
- “Thank-You for the Thistle” by Dorie Thurston:
“Great Aunt Nellie and Brent Bernard who watch with wild wonder at the wide window as the beautiful birds begin to bite into the bountiful birdseed.”
“b” and “w” sounds repeated in the above lines show alliteration.
- Gettysburg Address of Abraham Lincoln:
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
The repetition of “f”, “s” and “c” sounds show alliteration.
