Assonance

Definition

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, creating a musical quality and enhancing the emotional effect of language. This technique is particularly important in poetry and dramatic works, where the sound patterns can evoke specific feelings and contribute to the overall rhythm. Assonance allows writers to create memorable lines and reinforces themes by linking words through their sound rather than their meaning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Shakespeare's works, assonance can be found throughout his plays and sonnets, contributing to the lyrical quality of his language.
2. The use of assonance often enhances emotional impact by creating subtle connections between words, enriching the meaning beyond just the text.
3. Assonance can be used to draw attention to particular phrases or themes within a piece, making certain lines more memorable for the audience.
4. In dramatic dialogue, assonance can help convey characters' emotions and intentions, adding depth to their speech.
5. Shakespeare frequently employed assonance alongside other sound devices like alliteration and rhyme to create a complex auditory experience that engages the audience.

Review Questions

• How does assonance function within Shakespeare's dramatic structure, particularly in enhancing character dialogue?
  • Assonance functions as a key element in Shakespeare's dramatic structure by enriching character dialogue with musicality and emotion. When characters use assonance, it adds a lyrical quality to their speech that can reflect their inner feelings or intentions. This technique allows for a deeper connection with the audience, as the sounds evoke specific emotions that complement the text’s meaning.
• Discuss how assonance contributes to the overall poetic language in Shakespeare's sonnets.
  • Assonance significantly contributes to the overall poetic language in Shakespeare's sonnets by creating a harmonious sound pattern that enhances both rhythm and meaning. The repetition of vowel sounds links words together, reinforcing themes and emotions present in the poems. This musical quality not only makes the sonnets more enjoyable to read aloud but also emphasizes critical ideas, making them resonate more deeply with readers.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of assonance in shaping the emotional landscape of a specific sonnet by Shakespeare.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of assonance in shaping the emotional landscape of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 reveals how sound can enhance thematic depth. In this sonnet, phrases like 'rough winds' and 'golden complexion' utilize assonance to create a contrasting beauty and fragility. This auditory effect allows readers to experience the tension between nature's unpredictability and the speaker's admiration for beauty, ultimately highlighting the enduring power of love against time's challenges.

Related terms

alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity, often used to create rhythm or emphasis.

rhyme: The correspondence of sounds between different words, typically at the end of lines in poetry, used to create a sense of harmony and structure.

meter: The structured rhythm of a poem determined by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables, which works alongside assonance to enhance the auditory experience.