How does sound contribute to a poem?

Answer 1

hhhmmmm... I was wishing you expanded on this question - but alas you did not.

Maybe it's better that you didn't

intriguing question. I suppose the answer lies somewhere in understanding if the poem's strength is in the written word or in the poets presentation.

Answer 2

The sound of a poem can make it uplifting and inspiring, like the words in King Theoden's speech to the Riders of Rohan before the charge in Return of the King. The sound can also convey a sense of sadness, like in Poe's "The Raven." It isn't the only contributing factor, but it can sway a reader one way or another in many instances.

Answer 3

This is a very general question, but I'll try to answer.
I think sound gives a poem life and dimension. For example, a lot of the poetry I write has beats, clapping, exclamations, and various musical notations written in so they're almost like you're singing a cappella, not reciting a poem.

Answer 4

Just like singing contributes to the lyrics of a song.

It adds to the emotion of a poem as well.

Answer 5

What the others have said. But also, sound MAKES a poem. If there were no sound effects such as metre and rhyme, alliteration and assonance; you may as well have a piece of prose.

Answer 6

The possibilities are endless. Alliteration, meter, rhyme...its just the background music. A really good example that automatically comes to mind is Victor Hugo... he wrote in French but even if you don't understand the words you can hear the mood.

Answer 7

Onomatopoeia is powerful in poetry.

Alliteration too does things, even if it may seem like a cheap gimmick:

Softer be they than slippered sleep
The lean lithe deer
The fleet flown deer.
Four fleet does at a gold valley
The famished arrow sang before.
Bow at belt went my love riding
Riding the mountain down
Into the silver dawn....

Paler be they than daunting death
The sleek slim deer
The tall tense deer...

Answer 8

The sound of the words themselves, such as rhyme and alliteration.
The sound of the poetic rhythm, or meter.
The art and expression of delivery when the poetry is read aloud.

Answer 9

Try reading one aloud to yourself. I think you will get the idea.