Consonance is a special device of poetry that occurs when numerous words within a phrase repeat a consonant sound. It is an incredibly powerful tool in the hands of a poet, as it can create an atmosphere or mood and link disparate images in ways that a single word or phrase cannot. Many poets find consonance to be a valuable tool in their craft, as it can both create and deepen the meaning of a poem.
Consonance is not a new technique; rather, it has been used in language, including poetry, for centuries. In the Middle Ages, consonance was used to help enliven religious texts, with the same word being used many times to conjure a powerful religious experience. From the 18th century onwards, more secular forms of poetry, such as the Romantic and Victorian poetic forms, began to incorporate consonance for its emotive effects. The two forms of consonance that are most commonly used by poets are slant rhyme and assonance.
Slant Rhyme
Slant rhyme, also known as near rhyme, involves words that are similar but not exact in their phonetic spellings. The similarity between the words is what creates the sense of consonance. For example, the line “If life should teach us one thing, it’s that nothing stays the same” contains the slant rhyme “same” and “teach”. The repetition of the /ch/ and /ay/ sounds within the line creates a sense of consonance that helps to give the poem a greater sense of flow and rhythm.
Assonance
Assonance is another form of consonance that is most commonly used in poetry. It occurs when two or more words contain the same vowel sound, but different consonant sounds. For example, the line “the sea and the sand” contains the assonance /ee/ and /an/. In this sentence, the repetition of the /ee/ sound in both words helps to create a calming atmosphere, while also deepening the imagery of the poem.
Consonance is a powerful tool in the hands of a poet. It can be used to add rhythm and flow to a poem, but it can also be used to create a certain atmosphere or mood. Many poets find that using consonance in their poems helps to add depth and meaning to their work.
Historical Usage
Consonance has been used throughout history, from religious texts in the Middle Ages to modern poetry. In the Middle Ages, poets used consonance to enliven their religious texts, as well as to create a more powerful religious experience. In the 18th century, Romantic and Victorian poets began to use consonance to evoke emotion in their writings. These poets used consonance to evoke feelings of nostalgia, melancholy, and even joy.
In the 19th century, the use of consonance took on a more modern form. Many authors began to use consonance to create a certain effect or mood in their work. For example, the poet Edgar Allen Poe used consonance to create a sense of fear and dread in his poem “The Raven”. Similarly, Walt Whitman used consonance to evoke a feeling of hope and optimism in his poem “O Captain! My Captain!”
Modern Usage
Today, consonance is still used by many poets in their work. In modern poetry, it is often used to create complex and layered meanings, as well as to establish connections between images and ideas. For example, in the poem “Nature’s Genius” by the poet, Sylvia Plath, consonance is used to create a sense of admiration for the natural world. The poem contains the repeated /s/ sound, which creates a sense of awe and understanding for the beauty of nature.
In addition to creating meaning and atmosphere, many poets find that consonance can also help to establish and deepen the rhythm of their work. For example, Jane Kenyon’s poem, “A Summer Day” contains the consonance of the /br/ sound throughout the poem. This repetition of sound gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow that helps to create an overall feel and atmosphere.
Educational Applications
As consonance is an essential element of poetry, it is often taught in English classes, both in high school and college. By teaching students about consonance, teachers can help them to understand and appreciate poetry better. Furthermore, by introducing students to the different types of consonance and their effects, teachers can help students to develop their own poetic sensibilities, as well as giving them an understanding of the craft of poetry.
In addition, by teaching students how to use consonance effectively in their own writing, teachers can help them to create more compelling and meaningful pieces of writing. This can be an invaluable tool for any student, as it can help them to create writing that expresses their ideas more clearly and powerfully.
Poetry and Popular Music
A growing trend in popular music is to incorporate elements of poetry, including consonance, into the lyrics. This trend can be seen in genres such as rap, hip-hop, and indie songs. For example, Drake’s hit single “In My Feelings” contains the assonance /ee/ and /uh/ throughout the song, which helps to create a sense of vulnerability and longing.
Similarly, in Rina Sawayama’s single “Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys)”, the artist uses consonance to evoke a feeling of strength and determination. The phrase “like the boys” is repeated multiple times throughout the song, and the repetition of the /oy/ sound helps to create a sense of strength and power.
By incorporating elements of poetry into popular songs, artists are creating more emotionally resonant and powerful music. While this trend is relatively new, it is becoming increasingly popular as more and more artists incorporate poetic devices into their music.
Conclusion
Consonance is an important element of poetry that has been used for centuries. It is a powerful tool for poets, as it can help to create atmosphere, deepen meaning, and add rhythm to the poem. Furthermore, by teaching students about the different types of consonance and their effects, teachers can help to develop their students’ own poetic sensibilities. Additionally, the incorporation of poetic devices into popular music is becoming increasingly popular, with artists using consonance to evoke emotion in their songs.
