Why Is Repetition Used In Poetry

1. Definition Of Repetition

Repetition is a rhetorical device that has been used in poetry since ancient times. It’s the act of repeating a word, phrase, or line of text, either exactly as it appears before or in a slightly different form. This repeated element can be used to emphasize certain ideas by making them stand out or to provide a cohesive structure to a poem and make it easier for readers to follow. Repetition is also a powerful tool for creating a memorable and effective poem.

2. Reasons Why Repetition Is Used In Poetry

Repetition is used in poetry for many different reasons. The most obvious is to emphasize certain words or ideas that the poet wishes to convey to the reader. By repeating certain words, phrases, and lines, the poet can encourage readers to think more deeply about the poem and its message.
Repetition also helps to create a rhythm, pattern, and structure in a poem that increases its readability. By using repetition, the poet can craft a memorable poem that will linger in the reader’s mind after reading.

3. Examples Of Repetition

An example of repetition can be found in the poem “To the Rose upon the Rood of Time” by William Blake:
“Oh Rose, thou art sick…The invisible worm,
That flies in the night,
In the howling storm..”

Here, the words “sick”, “invisible”, “flies”, “night”, “howling”, and “storm” are all repeated to emphasize the poem’s message of sorrow and despair. This repetition gives the poem its distinct structure and helps to create a haunting atmosphere.

4. Repetition In Modern Poetry

Repetition is still widely used in modern poetry and is often used to great effect. Poets may use repetition to create a feeling of tension or urgency in their poems, or to illustrate a particular mood or emotion.
American poet Sylvia Plath effectively employs repetition in her poem “Metaphors”:
“I’m a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!”

In this poem, Plath successfully creates a feeling of mystery and tension with the repeated words “riddle”, “elephant”, and “melon”.

5. Expressive Use Of Repetition

Repetition has also been used by poets to create an expressive and emotional work. Poets such as William Wordsworth and John Keats have used repetition to create a dreamlike atmosphere in their poems. They have used repetition to effectively evoke a feeling of nostalgia and longing in the reader.

6. Effects Of Repetition

When used effectively, repetition can create a powerful and lasting impression in a reader’s mind. It can also help the reader to connect with the poet’s feelings and emotions. In addition, repetition can be used to give a poem its unique form and structure.

7. Conclusion

Repetition is a powerful tool for poets and has been used for centuries. When used effectively, it can create a memorable and powerful poem that will linger in a reader’s mind for years to come. It can be used to emphasize certain words and ideas, to create a rhythm, pattern, and structure in a poem, and to create a feeling of tension or nostalgia.

8. Repetition As Dramatic Device

Repetition is also used as a dramatic device in poetry to heighten emotion and create a powerful effect on readers. This can be achieved by repeating certain phrases or words at key moments in the poem and using specific language that conveys emotion. For example, the repetition of the words ‘love’ or ‘hate’ can create a powerful impression on the reader.

9. Repetition As Form Of Imagery

Repetition is also used to create imagery in a poem. By repeating certain words and phrases, a poet can evoke a certain image in the reader’s mind. For example, the repetition of the words ‘white’, ‘snow’ and ‘winter’ can evoke a wintery scene in the reader’s mind.

10. Repetition As Subtle Undertone

Repetition can also be used to create a subtle undertone in a poem. This can be done by repeating certain words and phrases in order to emphasize an underlying theme or idea in the poem. For example, the repetition of the words ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ can create an underlying message of freedom and independence in the poem.

11. Repetition As Parody

Repetition can also be used as a form of parody, in which parts of a poem are repeated in order to mock or satirize a certain idea or situation. This is often used as a form of political or social commentary. For example, a poet might repeat the phrase ‘all is quiet in the marketplace’ in order to mock the notion that society is content under certain conditions.

12. Use Of Repetition In Other Genres

Repetition is also used in other forms of writing, such as plays, novels, and essays. It is often used to emphasize an important point or idea. For example, a character might repeat the same phrase multiple times during a play in order to highlight a particular sentiment.

13. Classification Of Repetition

Repetition can be classified into two general types: rhetorical repetition and stylistic repetition.
Rhetorical repetition is when words or phrases are repeated in order to emphasize a point or idea. Stylistic repetition is when words, phrases, sounds, or rhythms are repeated to create a particular effect on the reader.
For example, the use of alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds, is an example of stylistic repetition. This type of repetition can create a sense of flow and cohesion in a poem, as well as add rhythm and atmosphere.

14. Analysis Of Repetition

Repetition is an important tool for poets, and when used effectively it can create powerful and moving poems. It can help poets to emphasize certain words and ideas, to create a sense of rhythm and structure, to evoke emotion and imagery, and to create subtle and powerful undertones in their work. Poets must carefully consider their use of repetition in order to ensure that it adds to their poem, rather than detracting from it.

15.Limitations Of Repetition

However, it’s important to note that overuse of repetition can become tedious and tiresome for readers. Too much repetition can also limit the scope and creativity of a poem, as the poet may become limited in the words and phrases they can use.

16. Alternative To Repetition

For poets who wish to avoid repetition, there are other options available. Instead of repeating words and phrases, poets can use figurative language such as metaphors and similes to add depth and complexity to their poem. They can also use a variety of word choices to create vivid images and evoke emotion in the reader.

17. Context Of Repetition

It’s important to consider the context in which repetition is used in a poem. Different cultures and societies have different attitudes towards repetition, so when crafting a poem it’s important for poets to consider how repetition may be received in their particular situation.

18. Repetition As Literary Device

Repetition is a critical literary device that has been used for centuries by poets and other writers. It can be used to emphasize certain words and ideas, to create a rhythm and structure in a poem, and to evoke emotion and imagery. When used effectively, repetition can create a powerful and lasting impression in the reader’s mind.

Dannah Hannah is an established poet and author who loves to write about the beauty and power of poetry. She has published several collections of her own works, as well as articles and reviews on poets she admires. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a specialization in poetics, from the University of Toronto. Hannah was also a panelist for the 2017 Futurepoem book Poetry + Social Justice, which aimed to bring attention to activism through poetry. She lives in Toronto, Canada, where she continues to write and explore the depths of poetry and its influence on our lives.

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