Introduction
Alliteration is a poetically pleasing literary device that involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words. It can add musicality and emphasis to any piece of writing, and is a staple in literature, poetry, and music. In this article, we will explore the top ten examples of alliteration in the literary world and evaluate which line reigns supreme.
10 Examples of Alliteration in Literature
During the course of history, literature has been replete with examples of alliteration. From “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” to “She sells seashells by the seashore”, alliteration has been used to create a poetic resonance within literature. Here are the top ten examples of alliteration in literature:
- “He clasps the crag with crooked hands” – ‘The Eagle’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson
- “Big black bugs bleed blue-black blood” – ‘The Bug Poem’ by Edward Lear
- “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free” – ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- “Sally sells seashells by the seashore” – Anonymous
- “The W was a whale, with a very long tail” – ‘Alphabet Poem’ by Edward Gorey
- “And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” – ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe
- “A noiseless, patient spider, I mark’d, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated” – ‘A Noiseless Patient Spider’ by Walt Whitman
- “Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter’s bitter” – Anonymous
- “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life” – ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare
- “In the greenest of our valleys By good angels tenanted, Once a fair and stately palace Radiant palace—reared its head” – ‘The Haunted Palace’ by Edgar Allan Poe
Each example has a distinct alliterative sound that creates a unique effect within the literature. While some are more tongue-twisting, others are musical and flow with ease. Comparing them to each other, we can conclude that the top three examples of alliteration in literature are ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe, ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and ‘A Noiseless Patient Spider’ by Walt Whitman.
The Power of Alliteration in Poetry
Poetry is a form of literature that relies heavily upon the use of alliteration to create musicality and to convey emotions just like music. Here are the top three alliterative lines in poetry:
- “Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn” – ‘To Autumn’ by John Keats
- “The lumpy, bumpy, frumpy camel” – ‘The Camel’s Hump’ by Rudyard Kipling
- “The waspishly wicked whorled whirls” – ‘The Whorled Series of Leaves’ by Emily Dickinson
All three examples use alliteration to create a sense of melody that enhances the meaning of the poem. The sound of the alliteration in each line conveys a different emotion. In ‘To Autumn’, the sound of the gnats mourning adds to the melancholic tone of the poem. In ‘The Camel’s Hump’, the alliteration conveys the shape and movement of the camel. Lastly, in ‘The Whorled Series of Leaves’, the alliteration creates an image of simultaneously twisted and rotating leaves, which is a clear depiction of whorled leaves. It is clear that alliteration amplifies the meaning of the poem.
Breaking Down Alliteration in Popular Songs
Alliteration is also used frequently in music to make the lyrics sound more appealing to the ear. Here are the top three alliterative lines in popular songs:
- “I rise, I fall, I make mistakes, I live, I learn, I’ve been hurt but I’m alive” – ‘Unbreakable’ by Westlife
- “You can stand under my umbrella” – ‘Umbrella’ by Rihanna
- “She’s Living Life Like She’s Golden” – ‘Golden’ by Jill Scott
Each of these lines uses alliteration to make the song more catchy, and the sound of the alliteration fits the mood and theme of the song. In ‘Unbreakable’, the alliterative sound of the words adds to the theme of perseverance. In ‘Umbrella’, the alliterative sound emphasizes the protection offered by the umbrella. Finally, in ‘Golden’, the alliteration enhances the idea of someone living like they have a specialness within them.
From Tongue-Twisters to Literary Masterpieces
While alliteration is a commonly used device in genres like poetry and music, it is equally effective in prose writing. Here are the top three most effective uses of alliteration in literature:
- “Five fluffy feathers from Fanny’s favorite duck fell on the floor” – Anonymous
- “In scarlet town where I was born” – ‘Scarlet Town’ by Bob Dylan
- “Darkness and decay and the red death held illimitable dominion over all” – ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ by Edgar Allan Poe
Each of these examples uses alliteration to create a different effect. ‘Five fluffy feathers from Fanny’s favorite duck fell on the floor’ is a tongue-twister that is fun to say, but also creates a picture in the reader’s mind of the falling feathers. ‘Scarlet Town’ uses alliteration to create a feeling of nostalgia and a sense of place, while ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ uses alliteration to paint a vivid image of the decay of the setting.
A Closer Look at Alliteration
Now that we have explored the top examples of alliteration in literature, poetry, and music, let’s take a closer look at the top three examples in each section and evaluate which line stands out as the best example of alliteration.
Top three examples:
- ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe
- ‘To Autumn’ by John Keats
- ‘Unbreakable’ by Westlife
Comparing these lines to each other, we can see that while all three use alliteration effectively, ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe stands out as the best example of alliteration. The repetitive ‘s’ sound in “And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” creates a haunting and eerie melody that perfectly fits the tone and theme of the poem.
Conclusion
Alliteration is a powerful tool that is used in literature, poetry, and music to create musicality, emphasis, and meaning. In this article, we explored the top ten examples of alliteration in the literary world, breaking them down to the top three in each section. Ultimately, it was concluded that ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe stands out as the best example of alliteration.
Recognizing and appreciating alliteration in literature, poetry, and music is important because it enhances the effectiveness of the language used and the emotions attempted to be conveyed. Therefore, understanding this literary device allows readers to have a greater appreciation for the art of writing and its subtle intricacies.