Alliteration

Definition

Alliteration is the meaningful repetition of sounds at the start of two or more words. Writers use this technique if they want to convey a certain tone or attitude, create a distinct rhythm or simply draw attention to the words so the reader can make connections between those images.

Emphasis

This form of repetition is a terrific way of highlighting ideas.

For example, when the “valiant” and “warlike” Othello reminds the Duke of Venice of his glorious “feats of broil and battle”, the alliteration of /b/ in “broil” and “battle” stresses his previous triumphs by helping to make the words stand out. Notice how both words are very similar in meaning.

Othello refers to his “moving accidents by flood and field”. In this example, the character wants to draw attention to the fact he has escaped disasters on both the sea and land – he is the complete soldier. The alliteration of /f/ in “flood” and “field” ensures the two ideas are more memorable.

The eponymous hero also mentions how he was “sold to slavery”. Again, the simple repetition of /s/ makes the idea of his capture sound more remarkable and dramatic.

Despite declaring that he is “rude” in “speech”, Othello eloquently uses alliteration and other devices to emphasise his exciting and adventurous history because he needs to impress his “very noble and approved good masters”.

Connecting Words

Alliteration is a great way to directly link key words together, enabling the audience to make important comparisons and connections between the them.

For example, Jacques describes a fool in “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” with a “brain, which is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage”. In this example, the alliteration of /b/ in “brain” and “biscuit” draws our attention to the comparison poking fun at the character’s stupidity, reducing his intelligence to a dry and tasteless biscuit.

Alliteration and Tone

If you called someone a “poisonous bunch-backed toad”, the aggressive alliteration of /b/ at the start of “bunch” and “backed” reinforces the venom of the terrific insult and draws attention to the creature’s disfigurement. This is important because Queen Margret is cursing the crippled King who was portrayed as a “lump of foul deformity” in Shakespeare’s “Richard III”.