Consonance is a literary and rhetorical device that involves the repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the beginning or middle of words, in close proximity to create a harmonic or musical effect in writing. Consonance is different from alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a sequence, whereas consonance can occur anywhere within a word.

Consonance can involve the repetition of consonant sounds, such as p, t, s, or m, and can occur in stressed or unstressed syllables. It can create a sense of harmony, melody, or rhythm in writing, adding musicality and enhancing the overall aesthetic quality of a piece of literature.

Consonance can be used in poetry, prose, and other forms of writing, and it can serve various purposes, including adding emphasis, creating mood or tone, enhancing the auditory experience, and contributing to the overall artistic and aesthetic quality of the language. It is a powerful tool that writers use to create memorable and impactful writing.

“And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” (The repetition of the “s” and “r” sounds in “silken,” “sad,” “uncertain,” “rustling,” “purple,” and “curtain” creates consonance, adding a musical and rhythmic quality to the line.)

In this example, the repetition of the “s” and “r” sounds creates a sense of harmony and melody, adding to the overall auditory experience of the line. It creates a sense of movement and flow, enhancing the musicality and aesthetic quality of the language used in the poem.

Consonance can also occur with other consonant sounds, such as “p,” “t,” “k,” “m,” “n,” “l,” and so on. It can be used in various ways to create different effects in writing, depending on the intended purpose and tone of the piece.

Purpose of using consonance

Consonance is used in writing for several purposes, including:

1. Emphasis: Consonance can be used to create emphasis or highlight certain words or phrases by repeating consonant sounds. This repetition draws attention to those words or phrases and can make them stand out, creating a stronger impact on the reader.

Example: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” (repetition of the “p” sound)

2. Musicality and Rhythm: Consonance can add musicality, rhythm, and flow to a piece of writing, making it more pleasurable to read or listen to. It can create a sense of harmony or melody, contributing to the overall aesthetic quality of the language.

Example: “The little turtle trudged through the tall trees.” (repetition of the “t” and “r” sounds)

3. Sound Effects: Consonance can be used to create specific sound effects or mimic sounds in writing, adding to the sensory experience of the reader.

Example: “The crackling fire, the snapping twigs, the popping corn.” (repetition of the “k” and “p” sounds)

4. Tone and Mood: Consonance can help create a specific tone or mood in a piece of writing. Different consonant sounds can evoke different emotions or atmospheres, depending on their harshness or softness.

Example: “All’s well that ends well.” (repetition of the “l” sound creates a sense of calmness and resolution)

5. Memorable Writing: Consonance can make language more memorable and impactful, helping to create vivid and lasting images or impressions in the reader’s mind.

Example: “I held my breath as the death swept past.” (repetition of the “th” and “s” sounds)

In summary, consonance is used in writing to add emphasis, create musicality and rhythm, evoke sound effects, set tone and mood, and create memorable and impactful language. It is a powerful tool that writers use to enhance the aesthetic quality and effectiveness of their writing.

Examples from famous literary works

Here are some examples of consonance from famous literary works:

1. “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.” – William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (repetition of the “s” sound in “is,” “East,” and “sun”)
2. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.” – Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven (repetition of the “w” and “r” sounds in “weak,” “weary,” “while,” and “pondered”)
3. “From the molten-golden notes.” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson, In Memoriam A.H.H. (repetition of the “n” and “t” sounds in “molten,” “golden,” and “notes”)
4. “The lumpy, bumpy road” – Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham (repetition of the “m” and “p” sounds in “lumpy,” “bumpy,” and “road”)
5. “But a better butter makes a batter better.” – Anonymous (repetition of the “b” sound in “better,” “butter,” “batter,” and “better”)
6. “I heard a flock of blackbirds” – Wallace Stevens, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird (repetition of the “k” and “b” sounds in “heard,” “flock,” “blackbirds,” and “looking”)
7. “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (repetition of the “f” and “w” sounds in “fair,” “breeze,” “blew,” “white,” “foam,” and “flew”)

These examples showcase how consonance can be used in literature to create musicality, emphasize certain sounds or words, evoke mood or tone, and contribute to the overall artistic quality of the writing.