Eye Rhyme: A Literary Device

Definition of Eye Rhyme

Eye Rhyme Etymology: The term “eye rhyme” originated from the Middle English word “rym” or “ryme,” which signifies a similarity in sound. The prefix “eye” in “eye rhyme” is derived from the visual perception of words that appear to rhyme based on their spelling, rather than their actual phonetic similarity. The concept gained prominence in the realm of poetry and literary analysis, particularly during the Renaissance and later periods.

Eye Rhyme Definition: Eye rhyme refers to a poetic device in which words appear to rhyme based on their spelling, yet do not share a corresponding phonetic similarity in their sounds. Unlike traditional rhymes that rely on identical or similar sounds, eye rhymes rely on the visual resemblance of words. This device often involves the use of words with identical or similar endings that may have undergone changes in pronunciation over time.

Poets frequently employ it for its visual impact, creating a sense of symmetry and pattern within a poem, while challenging traditional auditory expectations associated with rhyme schemes.

Type of Eye Rhyme

Type	Explanation	Examples from Literature
Historical Eye Rhyme	Words that were once pronounced similarly but have undergone changes in pronunciation over time. For example, “love” and “move” may have rhymed in the past but no longer do.	In Chaucer’s works, words like “food” and “good” were historically pronounced similarly but are no longer rhymed in modern English.
Homographic Eye Rhyme	Words that share the same spelling but have different pronunciations and meanings. An example is the pair “bass” (low-frequency sound) and “bass” (a type of fish).	John Donne’s poem “The Flea” plays with homographic eye rhymes, using words like “prove” and “love” to visually rhyme despite distinct pronunciations.
Double Eye Rhyme	A combination of two words with the same spelling, such as “love” and “prove,” where both the endings and beginnings of the words visually rhyme.	Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death” features double eye rhymes like “ground” and “around,” contributing to the poem’s visual harmony.
Single Eye Rhyme	Words with similar spellings that rhyme only in part, usually at the end. An example is “watch” and “match.”	In Shakespeare’s sonnets, single eye rhymes like “love” and “prove” offer a visual connection while challenging auditory expectations.
Punctuation or Syllable Eye Rhyme	Words that share a similar number of syllables or end with the same punctuation mark, creating a visual rhyme. An example is “bough” and “though.”	E.E. Cummings’ poetry often utilizes punctuation eye rhyme, as seen in the visual resemblance of words like “why?” and “try!” within his unconventional style.

Common Examples of Eye Rhymes

1. Tough and Cough:
   • These words have the same ending but are pronounced differently.
2. Lead (pronounced “led”) and Lead (pronounced “leed”):
   • The noun “lead” (referring to the metal) and the verb “lead” (meaning to guide) share the same spelling but have different pronunciations.
3. Read (present tense) and Read (past tense):
   • The words “read” (present tense) and “read” (past tense) are spelled the same but pronounced differently.
4. Bow (to bend forward) and Bow (a decorative knot):
   • These words, though spelled the same, have different pronunciations and meanings.
5. Wind (air in motion) and Wind (to twist or turn):
   • The noun “wind” and the verb “wind” are spelled the same but pronounced differently.

While these examples may not be as prevalent in everyday spoken language, they demonstrate instances where the visual resemblance of words might suggest a rhyme, despite differences in pronunciation.

Shakespearean Eye Rhymes

1. Love and Move (Sonnet 25):
   • “Love” and “move” might have visually rhymed during Shakespeare’s time, contributing to the sonnet’s overall rhyme scheme and structure.
2. Prove and Love (Sonnet 116):
   • In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare uses “prove” and “love” as an eye rhyme, emphasizing the enduring nature of true love.
3. Leave and Remove (Sonnet 61):
   • In Sonnet 61, the words “leave” and “remove” may have visually rhymed in Elizabethan pronunciation, enhancing the sonnet’s poetic symmetry.
4. Minds and Finds (Sonnet 59):
   • Shakespeare employs eye rhyme in Sonnet 59 with words like “minds” and “finds,” contributing to the sonnet’s rhythmic and visual appeal.
5. Heretics and Critics (Sonnet 112):
   • In Sonnet 112, Shakespeare uses the eye rhyme of “heretics” and “critics,” playing with the visual similarity of the words.

It’s essential to note that the pronunciation of words in Shakespeare’s time was different from contemporary English, allowing for more flexibility. While some of these examples might not be perfect rhymes in modern pronunciation, they showcase Shakespeare’s skill in using visual and phonetic elements to create a rich poetic tapestry.

Literary Examples of Eye Rhyme

1. “Cove” and “Love” in “Modern Romance” by Lang Leav:
   • Lang Leav uses eye rhyme with words like “cove” and “love” in her modern poem “Modern Romance,” adding a visual layer to the theme of love and longing.
2. “Dream” and “Stream” in “Dreams” by Nikki Giovanni:
   • Nikki Giovanni employs eye rhyme with words like “dream” and “stream” in her poem “Dreams,” creating a visual and rhythmic connection between the concepts.
3. “Bright” and “Night” in “A Dream Within A Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe:
   • In a classic by Edgar Allan Poe, the eye rhyme of “bright” and “night” is used in “A Dream Within A Dream,” contributing to the dreamlike and introspective atmosphere.
4. “Wave” and “Brave” in “Seashell” by W.S. Merwin:
   • W.S. Merwin utilizes eye rhyme with words like “wave” and “brave” in his poem “Seashell,” adding a visual element to the exploration of courage.
5. “Rust” and “Trust” in “Colors Passing Through Us” by Marge Piercy:
   • Marge Piercy uses eye rhyme with words like “rust” and “trust” in her poem “Colors Passing Through Us,” emphasizing the transient nature of relationships.
6. “Soul” and “Toll” in “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou:
   • Maya Angelou incorporates eye rhyme with words like “soul” and “toll” in her empowering poem “Still I Rise,” enhancing the resilience expressed in the verses.
7. “Cry” and “Sky” in “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur:
   • Rupi Kaur uses eye rhyme with words like “cry” and “sky” in her collection “The Sun and Her Flowers,” contributing to the emotional and visual impact of her poetry.

These examples demonstrate how contemporary poets continue to use eye rhyme to create visual and rhythmic effects in their works.

Benefits of Using Eye Rhyme

1. Visual Harmony:
   • Eye rhyme enhances the visual appeal of a poem by creating patterns and symmetry on the page. The alignment of visually similar words contributes to the overall aesthetics of the written work.
2. Aesthetic Impact:
   • The visual resemblance of words provides a unique aesthetic impact, engaging the reader’s sense of sight alongside the auditory experience. This adds depth and complexity to the overall reading experience.
3. Structural Coherence:
   • Eye rhymes can contribute to the structural coherence of a poem, helping to organize stanzas and lines. It provides a visual link between words, creating a sense of order and intentional design within the composition.
4. Rhythmic Variation:
   • Incorporating eye rhymes allows poets to introduce rhythmic variation within their verses. The visual similarity of words can create a subtle cadence, enhancing the musicality and flow of the poem.
5. Expressive Freedom:
   • Eye rhymes provide poets with expressive freedom, allowing them to experiment with language and challenge conventional auditory expectations. This flexibility encourages creative exploration in crafting verses.
6. Emphasis on Language:
   • The use of eye rhyme draws attention to the language itself. It invites readers to appreciate the words not only for their meanings but also for their visual and structural qualities, fostering a deeper engagement with the text.
7. Symbolic Resonance:
   • Eye rhyme can carry symbolic resonance within a poem. Words that visually appear to rhyme but do not phonetically align may reflect thematic contrasts or complexities, adding layers of meaning to the literary work.
8. Artistic Nuance:
   • Poets use eye rhyme as a tool for artistic nuance. It allows them to convey emotions, themes, or ideas in a more nuanced and subtle manner, inviting readers to explore the interplay between form and content.

Eye Rhyme in Literary Theory

Theory	Critique
Formalism/Structuralism	Formalists would focus on the structure of the poem and the recurring patterns created by eye rhymes. They might analyze how these visual resemblances contribute to the overall form, emphasizing the poem’s internal coherence.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Psychoanalytic theorists might delve into the subconscious implications of the words chosen for eye rhymes. They could explore how the visual connections evoke deeper psychological meanings, potentially revealing hidden desires or conflicts.
Marxist Criticism	Marxist critics may analyze the socio-economic implications of eye rhymes. They could explore how the visual patterns reflect power dynamics, class structures, or societal norms, uncovering potential social critiques embedded in the use of eye rhyme.
Feminist Criticism	Feminist theorists might examine how eye rhymes reinforce or challenge gender roles. They could analyze whether the visual resemblances between certain words contribute to or subvert traditional gender expectations in the text.
Deconstruction	Deconstructionists would focus on the inherent instability of meaning in eye rhymes. They might argue that the visual similarities between words destabilize traditional notions of fixed meanings, inviting multiple interpretations.
Reader-Response Criticism	Reader-response theorists would emphasize how readers engage with and interpret the visual aspects of eye rhymes. The emphasis would be on the subjective experiences of readers and how the visual elements contribute to their understanding of the text.
Cultural Criticism	Cultural critics might analyze how eye rhymes reflect or challenge cultural norms and values. They could explore whether the visual connections between words contribute to or resist broader cultural expectations.
Postcolonial Criticism	Postcolonial theorists could examine how eye rhyme operates in the context of language and colonial history. They might explore how visual patterns in words reflect or resist linguistic colonialism and cultural hegemony.

Suggested Readings

1. Gioia, Dana, and X.J. Kennedy. An Introduction to Poetry. 13th ed., Pearson, 2016.
2. Hollander, John. Rhyme’s Reason: A Guide to English Verse. Yale University Press, 1989.
3. Oliver, Mary. A Poetry Handbook. Harcourt, 1994.
4. Oliver, Mary. Rules for the Dance: A Handbook for Writing and Reading Metrical Verse. Houghton Mifflin, 1998.

Read more on Literary Devices below:

• Cacophemism: A Literary Device
• Dysphemism: A Literary Device
• Dysphemism in Literature