Rhyme in The Raven

Poe creates a strong internal rhyme by using alliteration and repetitive sounds. He uses rhyming words in the middle and end of the first and third lines of each stanza, and the middle of the fourth line. The end of the fourth line then rhymes with the end of the fifth line and the end of the stanza. Poe uses words that rhyme with “more” throughout each stanza to unify the poem not only in theme and content, but in structure as well. This rhyming pattern has a thundering, strong effect that adds to the intensity of the poem.

Rhyme Examples in The Raven:

The Raven

"weak and weary..." See in text (The Raven)

This is the first example of Poe’s frequent use of alliteration, the repetition of initial sounds, and internal rhyme. Notice how Poe uses internal rhyme throughout the first and third lines of each stanza, and particularly how repetition represents an essential technique and theme in the poem.

Wesley, Owl Eyes Editor

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"lore..." See in text (The Raven)

Also throughout the poem, Poe chooses words that rhyme with more in the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth lines to create a very strong, unified effect for the poem. In his “Philosophy of Composition,” Poe states that he consciously chose the or-sound because of its sonorous quality.

Wesley, Owl Eyes Editor

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