What is Onomatopoeia? A Guide to Learning the Examples of Onomatopoeia Poetry

What is Onomatopoeia? A Guide to Learning the Examples of Onomatopoeia Poetry

This article throws light on the rhythm and sounds in poetry and will familiarize you with the examples onomatopoeia poems.Understanding the Examples of Onomatopoeia Poems

Poetry is remarkably differentiated from prose for its sound and rhythm. The application of onomatopoeia in poetry makes it more melodious and interesting. In this article, you will learn how onomatopoeia poems create significant effects!

What’s the Meaning of Onomatopoeia?

It is the Greek word “onomatopoeia” meaning ‘word-making’ that signifies the term. By way of representing the sound, it indicates the word for example, the sound “meow” represent the animal cat. When you pronounce the words like “buzz”, or “bang”, a particular object will come to you mind. In other words, through the representation of the sound, it suggests the object or the word.

What Are the Examples of Onomatopoeia Poetry that You Find in Literature?

In order to give the writing a poetic touch, the poets and writers often make use of onomatopoeia in their writings. Alfred Tennyson’s poem “Come Down, O Maid” (1847)  “Come Down, O Maid” (1847) gives us the feel of the effect of sound produced by the humming bees:

The moan of doves in immemorial elms,
And murmuring of innumerable bees.

Robert Browning also makes use of some distasteful sounds, in “Meeting at Night”:

As I gain the cove with pushing prow,
And quench its speed i’ the slushy sand.
A tape at the pane, the quick sharp scratch
And blue spurt of a lighted match…

Words and Phrases in English Language that are Onomatopoeic:

In English languages you must have come across several words of expressions of this kind. Here are some of the onomatopoeic expressions in this language:

1. Words like “beep”, “hiccup”, “bang”, “splash” etc. are very common.

2. Phrases like “the cackling hen”, “the humming bee”, “the whizzing arrow” etc. are familiar to all.

3. Sounds of machine just like “vroom”, “beep-beep” etc.

4. Animal sounds such as “quack” for duck, “meow” for cat are very common.

5. Certain sound like the cuckoo, the whooping crane etc. remind us of birds.

These are some of the common expressions that you find in day-to-day life are certainly onomatopoeic words. One of the common words is word “zip” or “zipper” that signifies an object that we call fastener.

Thus, in a broader sense, you can say that onomatopoeia suggests or denotes through the sound. In creative writing, it is used to create an appealing effect on the reader and it is perfectly true with poetry. Its use in poetry and versification gives it melodious touch and therefore one can enjoy reading every types of poetry!
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