Published: July 8, 2024 | Last Updated: July 9, 2024
Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds in two or more words, typically at the end of lines in poetry or song lyrics. It adds a musical quality to language and can create a sense of rhythm and unity in writing. Rhyme can be used for emphasis, humor, or to create a sense of closure in a poem or song. It is a popular literary device used throughout history in various forms of literature and music.
The art of rhyme is a fundamental aspect of poetry and songwriting. It adds a musical quality to language and creates a sense of cohesion and structure within a piece of writing. In movies, rhyming is used in dialogue, monologues, and songs, which I’ll return to in a minute.
Table 1 is an overview of the various types of rhyme:
Rhyme | Definition | Examples |
---|---|---|
Perfect Rhyme (or Exact Rhyme) | This is the most common type of rhyme where the vowel sounds and the sounds following the vowels are identical in two words. | Cat and hat Tale and pail |
Half (or Slant) Rhyme | In half rhyme, the consonant sounds match, but the vowel sounds do not. This type of rhyme is subtler and creates a less predictable, more complex rhyme scheme. | Rain and run Bridge and grudge |
Eye Rhyme | Eye rhyme occurs when words look like they should rhyme because they are spelled similarly but do not actually rhyme in sound. | Love and move Tough and though |
Internal Rhyme | Internal rhyme occurs when rhyming words appear within a single line of poetry. This can help to create a strong rhythm and emphasis. | Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary (from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven) |
Masculine Rhyme | Masculine rhyme is a rhyme where only one syllable of the two words rhymes. | Light and might Bear and where |
Feminine Rhyme | Feminine rhyme involves two syllables where the first syllable is stressed and the second syllable is unstressed and rhymes. | Turtle and fertile Motion and ocean |
End Rhyme | End rhyme is when the rhyme occurs at the end of lines. This is the most common type of rhyme found in poetry and song lyrics. | |
Internal End Rhyme | Internal end rhyme occurs when a word in the middle of a line rhymes with the word at the end of the same line or within another line. |
Rhyme Examples from Movies
In film, rhyme is found in dialogue, monologues, and songs. Examples include movie adaptations (fx of Shakespeare’s plays) and musicals.
But sometimes, rhymes are also used to make a line more memorable by stressing a point and for characterization—for example, to show a villain’s madness.
Here are some examples.
Spider-Man (2002)
“The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the Goblin and took the spider out.”
– Green Goblin
Rhyme Type: Perfect Rhyme
While Green Goblin flies on his glider and is about to kill Spiderman, he paraphrases this nursery rhyme, emphasizing his evil madness. The quote contrasts the spider’s innocence with the Goblin’s threat. It’s a perfect rhyme between “spout” and “out.”
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
“Cold be heart and hand and bone Cold be travellers far from home They do not see what lies ahead When sun has failed and moon is dead”
– Gollum
Rhyme Type: Internal Rhyme
This quote uses internal rhyme within lines such as “cold” and “bold,” “hand” and “land.” Internal rhyme enhances the poetic flow and rhythm of the lines, contributing to the epic and mystical tone of the dialogue.
Happy Gilmore (1996)
Shooter McGavin: Just stay out of my way… or you’ll pay! LISTEN to what I say!
– Shooter McGavin and Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore: Hey, why don’t I just go eat some hay, make things out of clay, lay by the bay? I just may! What’d ya say?”
Rhyme Type: Perfect Rhyme
In this fun showdown, Gavin McGavin and Happy Gilmore use perfect rhymes throughout. When McGavin uses a rhyme to threaten Gilmore, being the competitor he is, Gilmore wants to best him. But because they’re in a fancy golf club, they can’t throw punches but must throw words instead.
Summary
Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds in words, often found at the end of lines in poetry or songs. It adds musicality and structure to language.
In the film, rhyme in dialogue can create a sense of rhythm, emphasize key points and comedy, or be used as characterization – for example, to show madness.
Up Next: What is Assonance?