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Literary Devices
Definition of Alliteration
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “Bob brought the box of bricks to... read full definition
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “Bob brought... read full definition
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the... read full definition
Part II
Explanation and Analysis—Blowing Breezes:
The following passage is full of lyrical alliteration that heightens the drama of the albatross's death in Part II:
The breezes blew, the white foam flew,
The furrow follow'd free:
We were the first that ever burst
Into that silent Sea.
Down dropt the breeze, the Sails dropt down,
'Twas sad as sad could be
And we did speak only to break
The silence of the Sea.
These lines appear right after the Mariner has killed the albatross. Alliteration gives this moment a lyrical quality, emphasizing the significance of the Mariner's actions. The repetition of the "b" sound in "breezes blew," "white foam flew," and "furrow follow'd free" creates a rhythmic quality, contributing to the musicality of the verse. This rhythmic flow enhances the overall cadence of the lines, making them more engaging and memorable.
The /s/ sound in "silence of the sea" mimics the sound of the waves, and the repetition of the "s" sound in "sad as sad could be" adds a soft and melancholic tone to the description of the sails dropping down. The alliteration emphasizes the somber mood, underscoring the sadness and desolation experienced by the sailors as the wind ceases. There is also an alliterative chiasmus in the phrases "down dropt" and "dropt down," which grammatically links the descent of the sails to the lessening of the wind.
Overall, alliteration in this passage enhances the poetic qualities of each line, creating a harmonious and rhythmic flow while emphasizing thematic elements such as the sea's silence and the crew's solitude after the death of the albatross.
Related Themes:
