Allliteration in Shakespeare's Sonnet 71

Poetic devices are often utilized by authors to emphasize and clarify their overall theme. One such device is alliteration, where a beginning sound of a word is employed more than once in a line. Shakespeare presents alliteration as the most important tool to understanding his moral in sonnet 71. In this poem, he transcends the potent message that he is not to be mourned when he dies and thereafter. Through his exploitation of alliteration, Shakespeare gives …

…sonnet 71 to give it a tempo that parallels the rhythm of life. Simply put, Shakespeare wishes not to be mourned and bewailed after his death. He utilizes alliteration to not only emphasize certain images to his reader but also to give his sonnet a rhythm. The beat and pictures employed attest to and convey his theme clearly so his reader has no doubt as to what Shakespeare’s hopes are in regard to his passing.