Assonance

Assonance is a literary device characterized by the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, often used to enhance the musical quality of language. It creates rhythm, emphasizes certain themes, and can contribute to the emotional resonance of poetry and prose. assonance differs from rhyme by focusing specifically on vowel sounds rather than the overall sound of the endings of words. Poets and authors use this technique to produce harmony and to strengthen the imagery within their work.

Assonance meaning with examples

• In a line from Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem 'The Raven', the repetition of the 'o' sound in 'once upon a midnight dreary' creates an eerie, haunting atmosphere that enhances the poem's themes of loneliness and longing. The assonance draws attention to the words, evoking a sense of melancholy and drawing readers deeper into the narrative's dark mood.
• The phrase 'Hear the lark and harken to the barking of the dark fox gone to ground' illustrates assonance with the repeated 'ar' and 'o' sounds. This repetition not only creates a musical quality that makes the language more engaging but also effectively paints a vivid auditory image that enhances the overall scene depicted in the line.
• In the sentence 'The light of the fire is a sight to inspire', the repeated 'i' sounds form a harmonious connection between words, emphasizing the delightful imagery of a fire. This use of assonance captures the reader's attention and contributes to an overall emotional appeal, making the scene more memorable and impactful.
• Shakespeare often used assonance in his plays and sonnets, as seen in the phrase 'The weeping willow by the stream below'. Here, the repetition of the 'ee' sound offers a lyrical quality, highlighting the beauty of the imagery while simultaneously evoking the sadness often associated with the imagery of weeping willows.