Overview
This lecture explores the importance of rhythm and repetition in human experience, particularly in poetry, examining how various types of repetition contribute to pleasure and meaning.
Rhythm and Repetition in Life
- Human beings are naturally attuned to rhythms, such as breath and heartbeat.
- Patterns and repetition are present in music, art, and daily life, providing pleasure and structure.
Rhythm and Repetition in Language
- Poetry uses rhythm (pattern of stressed syllables) and repetition as foundational elements.
- Repetition can occur at various linguistic levels: letters, sounds, and words.
- Effective repetition can unify or diversify ideas, but excessive repetition can be tiresome.
Types of Poetic Repetition
- Rhyme: Repetition of similar sounds, usually at line endings, sets up expectations and satisfaction.
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within lines, as in “Oh, there goes gravity.”
- Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds, found in phrases like “So long lives this.”
- Alliteration: Specific consonance at the beginning of words, exemplified by tongue twisters.
The Poet's Balancing Act
- Poets must balance repetition and variation to maintain interest and avoid monotony.
- Repetition should enhance the meaning, not merely repeat for its own sake.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rhythm — Pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in language or music.
- Rhyme — Repetition of similar ending sounds in two or more words, often at the ends of lines.
- Assonance — Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.
- Consonance — Repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity.
- Alliteration — Type of consonance where the repeated sound is at the start of words.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of assonance, consonance, and alliteration in poetry.
- Practice identifying different forms of repetition in your own reading or writing.