What Is Alliteration

English Literature Buzz

It is the most interesting literary form. It is said that the word 'alliteration' is derived from the Latin word 'Latira' or 'Littera'.
It means 'letters of alphabets'.

In a sentence, a repetition of the same first letter sound or repetition of the first same letter of the words in a sequence is called alliteration. Mostly it is used in poetry, in order to make a poem more interesting or appealing.

It was roses, roses, all the way,

With myrtle mixed in my path like mad
(Robert Browning)

In the lines above, the words of the letter 'r' in the first line, and the words of the letter 'm' in the second line come again and again.

R words

• roses
• roses

M words

• myrtle
• mixed
• my
• mad

As you can see that alliteration is present in both lines.

Use Of Alliteration In Sentences

English Literature Buzz

We can see the use of alliteration in many sentences in English Literature.

1. Duffer Danny Drop His Dear Donkey Toy Deep Down in the Deep Dark well.
2. Wise William Wore the White Wasket With the White Shirt.
3. Funny Fan makes the Fun of Flop Funny actor.

Use of Alliteration in Poetry

English Literature Buzz

1

This precious stone set in the silver sea

Poem: England

William Shakespeare

In the above line, the words of the letter 's' come again and again.

S words

• stone
• set
• silver
• sea

2

Consider, mice, like men, must die

Poem: The Town And The Country Mouse

Alexander Pope

In the above line of the poem 'The Town And The Country Mouse', the word 'm' come again and again.

M words

• mice
• men
• must

3

Was ever such a happy sucian?

He stuffs, and swills, and stuffs again
Poem: The Town And Country Mouse
Alexander Pope

In the above two lines of the poem 'The Town And The Country Mouse', 's' and 'p' letter and sound come again and again.

S words

• such
• sucian
• stuffs
• swills
• stuffs

4

Prayer all his business, all his pleasure praise,

Poem: The Hermit

Thomas Parnell

In the above line the letter 'p' come again and again.

P words

• prayer
• pleasure
• praise

5

A life so sacred, such serene repose,

Seemed heaven itself, till one suggestion rose;

That vice should triump, virtue vice obey,

Poem: The Hermit

Thomas Parnell

In the above three lines the letter 's' and letter 'v' come again and again.

S words

• so
• sacred
• such
• serene
• seemed
• suggestion

V words

• vice
• virtue
• vice