The Role and Importance of Rhyme in English Poetry: A Case Study of William Blake's The Songs of Innocence

Abstract

This research paper aims at enhancing readers approach towards analyzing and using rhyme in English poetry. Rhyme is considered one of the best poetic devices in poetry; due to its schemes poems can be easily memorized. In English poetry, many poets have composed poetry in rhyme. William Blake, the poet of the 19th-century uses rhymes abundantly in The Songs of Innocence.  His method of using different type of rhymes in poetry is significant, memorable, and readable. His poems are composed in rhyming words. The rhyming scheme helps in identifying pair of sounds i.e. assonance and consonance, perfect rhyme and imperfect rhyme. Besides, rhyme does not only give easy way to memorize a poem but also creates melody in sounds as well. Poetry becomes more rhythmic and musical due to the use of different patterns of rhyme. Nursery rhyme is one of the best rhymes in singing and enjoying poetry. Blake’s rhyming structures consists of assonance and consonance, masculine, feminine, internal rhyme, nursery rhyme, and rich rhyme. In English literature, many poets have not followed all the patterns of rhyme like Blake. Blake, is one of the poets, has used the variety of rhyming scheme to make language beautiful and musical. For this study, two research questions have been shown the importance and use of rhyme in English poetry. This research paper follows i.e. textual analysis and close reading to carry the research ahead. In this study, the use of Rhyme and its importance particularly in Blake’s poetry is used as the best way to determine the rhyme and its significance in poetry. Further, this study would be helpful for learners of prosody and poetry.