Rhyme Management
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Again, the literary rules that govern Rhyme are legion. But for our purposes, we will only look at two basic types and one way to use rhyme in an “out of the ordinary” way.
While the function of metre is to make your poem flow and read well, rhyme has a different purpose. It is a purely poetic device, which fact can be seen in that none of us actually speak in rhyme. Furthermore, when poets use rhyme with skill they are simply displaying their dexterity with language.
To think in rhyme; to frame your thoughts in rhyme; to craft the different elements of rhythm (metre), word sounds (rhyme), emotion and thought; this is the peculiar gift of the poet: and this is the ideal you are aiming for.
1. Rhymes are made on the last syllable of a line; each alternate line rhyming.
While the function of metre is to make your poem flow and read well, rhyme has a different purpose. It is a purely poetic device, which fact can be seen in that none of us actually speak in rhyme. Furthermore, when poets use rhyme with skill they are simply displaying their dexterity with language.
To think in rhyme; to frame your thoughts in rhyme; to craft the different elements of rhythm (metre), word sounds (rhyme), emotion and thought; this is the peculiar gift of the poet: and this is the ideal you are aiming for.
1. Rhymes are made on the last syllable of a line; each alternate line rhyming.
A. I wandered lonely as a cloud
B. That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
A. When all at once I saw a crowd,
B. A host, of golden daffodils;
B. That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
A. When all at once I saw a crowd,
B. A host, of golden daffodils;
Here, line A rhymes with line A and line B with line B; i.e. each alternate line.
2. Next there are what are called “rhyming couplets” i.e. two lines (a couplet) next to each other and rhyming.
2. Next there are what are called “rhyming couplets” i.e. two lines (a couplet) next to each other and rhyming.
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
William Blake (1757-1827) ”The Lamb”
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
William Blake (1757-1827) ”The Lamb”
3. Great poems sometimes break this pattern of rhyme. The result is pure inspiration. For an example it’s back to “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” – a truly great poem.
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 5
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. 6
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance, 11
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. 12
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought 17
What wealth the show to me had brought: 18
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills, 23
And dances with the daffodils. 24
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 5
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. 6
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance, 11
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. 12
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought 17
What wealth the show to me had brought: 18
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills, 23
And dances with the daffodils. 24
This poem is a great example, because Wordsworth does not follow the general rule of each alternate line rhyming, but makes a subtle change on lines 5 & 6, 11 & 12, 17 & 18, and 23 & 24. On these lines he inserts rhyming couplets. It is as if the poet interjects wistful, self-contained observations, and the effect is as of a Chorus or Refrain of a song.
4. Some poets do not use rhyme. They specialise in a more free style using random metre and number of words per line.
4. Some poets do not use rhyme. They specialise in a more free style using random metre and number of words per line.
Inishbofin on a Sunday morning.
Sunlight, turfsmoke, seagulls, boatslip, diesel.
One by one we were being handed down
Into a boat that dipped and shilly-shallied
Scaresomely every time.
Seamus Heaney “Seeing Things”
Sunlight, turfsmoke, seagulls, boatslip, diesel.
One by one we were being handed down
Into a boat that dipped and shilly-shallied
Scaresomely every time.
Seamus Heaney “Seeing Things”
Here, it’s as if the poet has willingly let go of rhyme in order to heighten his delight in every word. He speaks his words slowly; in a whisper; and the gorgeousness of the sounds drop like molten chocolate from a spatula into a baking bowl.
Words can evoke a memory just as much as photographs can, and you can bring that distant experience to life with or without rhyme. Only that feeling you are chasing, trying to capture, will determine the form your attempts will take. So don’t get hung up on rhyming – unless you know you express yourself best that way.
Words can evoke a memory just as much as photographs can, and you can bring that distant experience to life with or without rhyme. Only that feeling you are chasing, trying to capture, will determine the form your attempts will take. So don’t get hung up on rhyming – unless you know you express yourself best that way.