Answer:
Explanation:What Is Repetition in Poetry?
What is repetition in poetry? What does repetition mean in poetry? This is a common literary technique that authors will use within poetry. The reason the author uses repetition will vary from piece to piece. The definition of repetition in poetry is repeating words, phrases, lines, or stanzas. It is an intentional technique that the author uses throughout the poem.
A phrase is defined as a group of words taken out of a larger literary work. A line is a subdivision of a poem where a phrase is grouped into a single row. Lines can be grouped by syllables, rhyme schemes, or other literary concepts. A stanza is a group of lines in a poem arranged together. A stanza is usually four or more lines. They can be grouped by rhyme scheme, or metric, and reoccur with a common theme. Stanzas can be thought of as paragraphs within a poem. In a poem, repetition can include recurring phrases, lines, words, or stanzas to create a particular effect by the author.
Why Do Poets Use Repetition?
Why do poets use repetition? There are many uses of repetition in poetry. Repeated lines in a poem serve as a mnemonic device. They can help build rhythm by introducing recurring sounds and syllables. This rhythm can be utilized to form a rhyme scheme. Rhythm is the repetition of a particular sound at a specific interval. A rhyme scheme is the repetition of a sound at the end of a line. Both of these are hallmark literary elements that are showcased in poetry.
Repetition also helps form metrics within a poem. Metric is the stressed and unstressed words in a repeating pattern that gives poetry its musical quality. This is most apparent when the poem is read aloud.
Repeating lines in a poem can also help create emphasis or urgency. When a line, word, phrase, or stanza is repeated, the reader notices. They are drawn into that detail. Authors can use repetition to help drive home an important message within the poem.
While repetition can be a valuable literary tool, it should be used with caution. When repetition is improperly applied, it can result in negative consequences for the integrity of the literary work. If it is done too frequently, the poem may become boring and basic. The reader may become annoyed with the repetition if it is not artfully applied. The repeating aspects may feel out of place within the poem, causing the reader to no longer feels entertained by the piece.
Authors should always reread their work to ensure that they are properly using repetition to achieve the desired effect within their work. If the work is becoming stale, boring, or too derivative, they should consider reducing some of the repetition. Sometimes, repeating stanzas can be overwhelming, and the author may elect to replace this concept with a repeating line to achieve a similar effect while reducing redundancy within the poem. If a poem is shorter, it would be more appropriate to repeat a phrase or word than it would repeat an entire stanza. Longer poems lend the author more freedom to utilize repetition, as it can be spread out further.
