Euphony

Definition: Harmonious combination or succession of agreeable sounds; pleasing smooth effect to the ear
 * __[[image:sunset.jpg align="right" caption="Peaceful, smooth effect"]]Euphony__

Examples:** FROST “The Tuft of Flowers” But as I __s__aid it, __swift__ there __passed__ me by On __noiseless__ wing a bewildered butterfly, __S__eeking with memories grown dim o’er night __S__ome __resting__ flower of __yesterday’s__ delight. An image of tranquility and solitude is evident through the description of a “noiseless” butterfly and a “resting flower.” Euphony is used to reiterate the sense of serenity with quiet and smooth sounds created by the repeating “s” and further established by the apostrophe in “o’er” to avoid the harsh sounding ‘v’. The flow of words and sounds corresponds to the silence and innocent image of an unguarded open field being explored by Frost. The pleasing sounds match the butterfly’s motion as being light and carefree.
 * Effect:**

SHAKESPEARE __King Lear__ //Cordelia:// The __jewels__ of our father, __with__ __washed__ eyes… But yet, alas, stood I __within__ his __grace__, I __would__ prefer him to a better __place__. Shakespeare uses euphony in Cordelia’s lines to match her pureness and kindness as her words are much softer and sweeter than those of her sisters’. The soft “w” and rhyming of “grace” and “place” add to the effect of a musical flow of words that is satisfying on the ear. This creates a lighter tone and in the context of the play, heavily contrasts her lines with the rude demanding lines of her sisters that follow.
 * Effect:**

The words cacophony and euphony themselves, embody their respective meanings. The “ph” sound in euphony creates a musical sound that flows easily while the repeating hard “c” sound is displeasing to the ear and forces a hiatus between syllables.

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