Euphony refers to the melodious word. In this article, readers will find, euphony figure of speech, euphony synonym and its examples in literature.
What is Euphony?
A single word can be symphonic on its own, this more frequently refers to a line or passage from a work of poetry or prose that creates an overall sense of niceness.
In discrepancy to euphony is cacophony, which refers to a series of sounds that are unwelcome or jarring within a word or expression.
Different words and sounds can produce euphony, though vowels are generally viewed as further soothing than consonants. Softer consonants like” w” and” s” can be comforting and agreeable to the observance, while sounds like” k” and” t” are generally allowed as more complex and less pleasing.
An expression that creates a sense of euphony would be a commodity like” the squeal of song catcalls trilled them beneath the moonlight in the mossy theater.
Euphony Synonyms
Euphony synonyms are melodious, rhythmic, harmonious, smooth etc.
Features of Euphony
There are different methods by that a writer can create euphony in their prose, verse, or poetry. These techniques include:
- It is used to create a rhythmic effect in writing.
- It is one of the essential devices that a writer operates in his writing.
- It is also used to combine the words and point out the location, stresses (the long and short syllables), and length of the lines.
Alongside rhythm, rhyme is also significant. It refers to the repetition of sounds in closely located words.
These syllables may fall within the same line or a couple of lines. Different types of rhyme, such as half-rhyme, internal rhyme, exact rhyme, and full rhyme, make a difference when writing.
Assonance and Consonance are two devices that are directly connected to rhyme. They occur in a sentence when either vowel sounds or consonant sounds are repeated and close to one another.
For example, the long “i” sound in “I went to go by car” is an example of assonance. The syllable “k” sound in “Kim kicked the kickball” is an example of Consonance. It also refers to alliteration.
There is another mode through which we can create a euphoric effect in a sentence. It occurs when words are used numerous times or even complete phrases. The repetition of the sounds adds to a pleasant feeling in a verse.
Why do Writers use Euphony?
Writers use euphony to make their words fluent, which sounds more attractive. It is a magnificent device for poets, but also the prose and drama writers.
Phrases will become more memorable, musical, and appealing by using this technique. If a reader enjoys the technique that words sound jointly, they are likely to enjoy the text itself.
They will be more likely to come back to the script and continue reading or even read it again.
Euphony Examples in Poetry
Sonnet 18: Shall I compare the to a Summer’s day? William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s one of the best-known sonnets. The opening line, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” is one of the most repeatedly used quotes.
The musical nature of the sentence is creating a charming impact because of their use of sounds. Look towards the first quatrain of the sonnet:
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe
‘The Raven,’ is the best-known poem and poetic masterpiece of ‘Poe’. It is a wonderful example of euphony. It is dissimilar to one of the doctrines of literary devices, which works best when used to depict something lovely.
The subject matter in ‘The Raven’ isn’t particularly lovely, but the tone of the words makes it so. Poe utilizes half-rhymes, a constant pattern of complete rhymes, and a consistent rhyme throughout the poem. There is the constant use of assonance and consonance, phrases and repetition in the whole of the poem.
Hyperion by John Keats:
As when upon a trance summer night,
Those green-robed senators of mighty woods,
Tall oaks, branch-charmed by the earnest stars,
Dream, and so dream all night without a stir,
Keats voluptuously used drowsy vowel sounds in the following lines. Here the word ‘trance’ means dream which is co-related with summer night. Further, the euphonic words, ‘branch-charmed’, and ‘earnest stars’ are also creating a pleasing effect in the poem.
Wreck of the Deutschland by Manley Hopkins
Is out with it! Oh,
We lash with the best or worst
Word last! Now a lush-kept plush-capped sloe
Will, mouthed to flesh-burst,
Gush! Flush the man, the being with it, sour or sweet,
Brim, in a flash, full! Hither then, last or first,
To hero of Calvary, Christ’s feet,
Never ask if meaning it, wanting it, warned of it – men go.
In the above stanza, the words, ‘lash’, ‘flush’, ‘sweet’, and ‘Calvary’ are euphonic words that are creating charming outcomes in the minds of readers.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets hi hour upon the stage”
‘Shakespeare’ has used euphonic words like petty, frets, full, sound, and fury which are creating a pleasing effect.
Difference between Euphony & Cacophony
Euphony denotes the pleasing sound, usually produced by long vowels rather than consonants.
For example, “Twinkle, Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are”. On the other hand, cacophony is the opposite of euphony. It is a combination of harsh and rough sounds.
