how do the sounds of the words and the poet’s use of devices, such as alliteration, contribute to the meaning and the mood of the poem
http://mrbraiman.home.att.net/lit.htm
This site will give you a list of literary devices... and the usages.
Think of this for instance. "mighty like a rose" That is a simile... The poet is comparing is love to a rose which is probably the ultimate symbol for a beautiful woman. He doesn't have to say anything else...he has used the epitome of beauty.
Irony is very often used for humor...When the unexpected happens more often or not the result is humor.
" The ant has made himself illustrious
Through constant industry industrious.
So what?
Would you be calm and placid
If you were full of formic acid?"
Pure irony. Ogden Nash is the master of poetic irony.
http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/glossary_of_poetic_terms.htm
"Alliteration The effect created when words with the same initial letter (usually consonants) are used in close proximity e.g. Ariel's Songs from The Tempest 'Full fathom five thy father lies'. The repeated 'f' sound is alliterative. Alliteration is sometimes referred to as head rhyme. Other examples of alliteration include: 'Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle' from Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen and the amazing five consecutive 'ds' in The Windhover by Hopkins - 'king-dom of daylight's dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon'."
I hope this has given you some good ideas.
To understand how the sounds of words and the poet's use of devices contribute to the meaning and mood of a poem, you can start by analyzing the literary devices used by the poet. One way to do this is by referring to online resources that provide lists and explanations of different literary devices.
For example, the website "http://mrbraiman.home.att.net/lit.htm" mentioned in your question offers a list of literary devices and their usages. This can help you identify specific devices used by the poet, such as simile and irony, and understand how they contribute to the overall meaning and mood of the poem.
A simile, like "mighty like a rose," compares two things using "like" or "as." In this example, the poet compares love to a rose, which is a commonly recognized symbol of beauty. This comparison enhances the meaning by suggesting that the subject of the poem (presumably a woman) possesses qualities of beauty and delicacy. The use of the simile creates a positive and romantic mood.
Irony, as explained on the website, is often used for humor by presenting unexpected outcomes. For example, consider the following lines by Ogden Nash:
"The ant has made himself illustrious
Through constant industry industrious.
So what?
Would you be calm and placid
If you were full of formic acid?"
These lines contain ironic humor, as they present the idea that being hardworking and productive (like an ant) does not necessarily result in being calm and placid. This irony adds a layer of depth to the poem and contributes to a playful and lighthearted mood.
Another resource mentioned, "http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/glossary_of_poetic_terms.htm," provides further explanations of literary devices, such as alliteration. Alliteration refers to the repetition of initial consonant sounds in close proximity. For example, in Ariel's Songs from The Tempest, the phrase "Full fathom five thy father lies" contains alliteration with the repeated "f" sound.
The use of alliteration in a poem can contribute to its meaning and mood by creating a musical or rhythmic effect. In the case of The Tempest, the alliteration adds to the poem's magical and enchanting atmosphere.
By analyzing the poet's use of devices like simile, irony, and alliteration, you can gain insights into how the sounds of words and the specific literary choices contribute to the overall meaning and mood of the poem.