What is a repetition in poetry? Poetry often works by employing carefully chosen words and symbols to express an emotion or a thought, but repetitions in poetry can be used to create a powerful emphasis on certain words and ideas. Repetition in poetry is essentially the use of a word or phrase over again to strengthen its message or to provide a musical effect.
One of the most popular types of repetition used in poetry is known as phrase repetition. This involves repeating a phrase several times in a poem, usually in the same lines or stanzas. For instance, in Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘Hope is the thing with feathers’, the phrase ‘hope is the thing with feathers’ is repeated four times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the sentiment of the poem and allows the author to create a powerful image of the word ‘hope’.
Another type of repetition used in poetry is form repetition. This involves repeating the structure or form of the poem in various ways. For example, in G.K. Chesterton’s poem ‘A Ballade Of Suicide’, the same rhyming couplet (an reversed line of rhyme: abba, abba) is repeated throughout the poem in order to emphasize the overall message of the poem. This form of repetition allows the author to create a cohesive structure, allowing the reader to easily follow the message and meaning of the poem.
Repetition in poetry can also be used to create a musical effect. This involves repeating certain words or phrases in order to create a strong rhythm in the poem. For example, in Robert Frost’s poem ‘The Road Less Travelled’, the phrase ‘twice a day’ is repeated to create a rhythm throughout the poem. This creates an ethereal, almost hypnotic, tone that reinforces the message of the poem.
Finally, repetition in poetry can be used to emphasize certain words and ideas. By repeating words and phrases, the author can emphasize an emotion or concept, allowing them to create a more powerful impact on the reader. For instance, in William Shakespeare’s poem ‘Sonnet 116’, the phrase ‘love is not love’ is repeated twice to emphasize love’s complexity and strength. This repetition allows the theme of love to be brought to the forefront of the poem, allowing the author to effectively convey its power and complexity.
Varieties of Repetition
Repetition in poetry can take multiple forms. One form of repetition is called Anaphora, which is when a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive lines or verses. This repetition can be used to emphasize a certain idea, create a rhythm, or even define a boundary. For example, in Sylvia Plath’s poem ‘Daddy’, the phrase ‘you do not do’ is repeated at the beginning of each line to define the boundary between her and her father. This repetition also creates a strong rhythm that drives the poem.
Another type of repetition is called Antithesis, which involves using two antithetical words or phrases in close proximity to one another. This repetition can be used to create tension and juxtapose ideas. For instance, in T.S. Eliot’s poem ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’, the phrase ‘Do I dare?/Do I not dare?’ is repeated to portray Prufrock’s struggle between taking a risk and giving in to self-doubt.
In addition to Anaphora and Antithesis, repetition in poetry can also be used to create a beat or a sonic effect. This can be achieved by repeating a word or phrase several times in a row. For example, in William Wordsworth’s poem ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’, the phrase ‘to him who in the love of nature holds communion with her visible forms’ is repeated several times in a row to create a steady beat or rhythm.
Finally, repetition in poetry can be used to emphasize or highlight a certain emotion or idea. By repeating a word or phrase several times, the author can draw the reader’s attention to a certain emotion or idea. For example, in W.H. Auden’s poem ‘Funeral Blues’, the phrase ‘stop all the clocks’ is repeated to emphasize the finality of death.
The Power of Repetition
Repetition in poetry can be powerful, as it allows the author to emphasize a certain emotion or idea, create a beat or rhythm, or set a tone. By repeating certain words, phrases, or even entire lines, the author can draw the reader’s attention to a certain emotion or concept and make it more powerful. Furthermore, repetition can be used to create a cohesive structure, allowing the reader to easily follow the message and meaning of the poem.
Repetition can also be used to create a musical or sonic effect, as it allows the author to create a strong rhythm or beat. This effect can be used to emphasize the overall message of the poem or to draw the reader’s attention to a certain emotion or idea. For example, in E.E. Cummings’ poem ‘i thank You God for Most This Amazing Day’, the author uses repetition to create a sonic effect and to emphasize the joy and thankfulness of the poem.
In conclusion, repetition in poetry can be a powerful tool. It allows the author to emphasize certain words and ideas, create a strong rhythm or beat, and draw the reader’s attention to a certain emotion or concept. Furthermore, it can be used to create a cohesive structure, allowing the reader to easily follow the message and meaning of the poem. By using repetition effectively, the author can create a powerful and lasting impression on the reader.
Examples of Repetition in Poetry
Since its emergence, poetry has been known for its use of repetition in order to emphasize words and ideas, create a beat or rhythm, or set a tone. Over the years, poets have used repetition in various ways to create vivid and powerful images and symbols. For example, in Robert Frost’s poem ‘The Pasture’, the phrase ‘and nothing to look backward to with pride’ is repeated to emphasize the narrator’s feelings of disappointment and regret.
Furthermore, in William Butler Yeats’s poem ‘The Second Coming’, repetition is used to create a sonic effect that conveys the fear and uncertainty of the narrator. By repeating the phrase ‘turning and turning in the widening gyre’, the author is able to create a strong beat that emphasizes the poem’s underlying message. This repetition also allows the author to create a sense of urgency and uncertainty, conveying the narrator’s fear and confusion.
In addition, in Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘I’m Nobody! Who are you?’, repetition is used to emphasize the poem’s theme of anonymity. By repeating the phrase ‘nobody’ several times, the author is able to draw attention to the concept of anonymity and its implications. This repetition allows the author to create a vivid image of the narrator’s feelings of alienation.
Finally, in Thomas Moore’s poem ‘With Cheeks Of Beaming Red’, repetition is used to emphasize the poem’s message of love. By repeating the phrase ‘With cheeks of beaming red’, the author is able to emphasize the theme of love and create a strong beat. This repetition also allows the author to convey the narrator’s feelings of love and desire.
The Impact of Repetition in Poetry
Repetition in poetry has had a lasting impact on the way poems are written and read. By emphasizing certain words and ideas, creating a beat or rhythm, or setting a tone, repetition can draw the reader’s attention to a certain emotion or idea and make it more powerful. Furthermore, repetition allows the author to create a cohesive structure, allowing the reader to easily follow the message and meaning of the poem. As such, repetition in poetry has been a powerful tool throughout history, allowing poets to create vivid and lasting impressions on their readers.
Furthermore, repetition in poetry has been used to create a musical or sonic effect. This can be achieved by repeating certain words or phrases in order to create a strong rhythm. This effect can be used to emphasize the overall message of the poem or to draw the reader’s attention to a certain emotion or idea. For example, in Wallace Stevens’ poem ‘The World Is Not A Lodging-House’, the phrase ‘the world is not a lodging-house’ is repeated to emphasize the narrator’s sense of loneliness and despair.
Finally, repetition in poetry can be used to emphasize certain words and ideas. By repeating words and phrases, the author can create a certain mood or tone, as well as emphasize a certain emotion or concept. For example, in Walt Whitman’s poem ‘Leaves of Grass’, the phrase ‘I Sing the Body Electric’ is repeated to emphasize the poem’s theme of human connection and unity. This repetition allows the author to draw the reader’s attention to the theme of the poem and make it more powerful.
The Use of Repetition in Modern Poetry
Today, repetition in poetry is still as popular as ever, as it allows the author to create vivid and powerful imagery and convey emotions. For instance, in Sharon Olds’ poem ‘Swimming in the Sea’, repetition is used to emphasize the poem’s theme of freedom and rebirth. By repeating the phrase ‘swimming in the sea’, the author is able to draw the reader’s attention to the theme of rebirth, as well as create a strong beat that reinforces the theme.
In addition, in Marie Howe’s poem ‘Prayer’, repetition is used to emphasize the poem’s theme of faith. By repeating the phrase ‘What do I have faith in?’ several times, the author is able to draw attention to the narrator’s struggle to find faith and create a sense of urgency. This repetition also allows the author to create a powerful image of faith and its importance.
Finally, repetition in poetry can be used to emphasize certain words and ideas. By repeating words and phrases, the author can emphasize an emotion or concept and make it more powerful. For example, in Richard Siken’s poem ‘Soft Animal’, the phrase ‘you are the kindest’ is repeated to emphasize the narrator’s love for someone. This repetition allows the author to create a vivid and powerful image of love, as well as emphasize its importance.
Applications of Repetition in Poetry Analysis
Repetition can be a powerful tool for analyzing poetry, as it allows the author to emphasize certain words and ideas. By examining the words and phrases that are repeated in a poem, the reader can gain insight into the poem’s theme and the author’s intentions. For instance, by examining the words and phrases repeated in Robert Frost’s poem ‘The Road Not Taken’, the reader can gain insight into the poem’s theme of making difficult choices.
Furthermore, by examining the use of repetition in a poem, the reader can gain insight into the author’s style and techniques. For example, by examining the words and phrases repeated in Sylvia Plath’s poem ‘Daddy’, the reader can gain insight into Plath’s use of symbolism, as well as her use of imagery and rhythm.
In addition, repetition in poetry can also be used to draw attention to certain emotions and ideas. By examining the words and phrases repeated in a poem, the reader can gain insight into the author’s emotional state and intentions. For instance, by examining the words and phrases repeated in T.S. Eliot’s poem ‘The
