alliteration

alliteration:
repetition of the initial sounds, generally consonants, of stressed syllables in neighboring words within a line or passage

Examples:
FROST "Stopping by Woods" the only other __s__ound's the __s__weep... the woods are lovely, __d__ark and __d__eep... Effects: In both cases, the repeated sounds are muted, hushed. The first example of alliteration is sibilant and adds to the softness of the auditory image that is associated with the virtually silent winter scene.

"The Death of the Hired Man" __M__ary sat __m__using on the lamp-flame at the table __W__aiting for __W__arren. __W__hen she heard his step... Effects: In these examples of alliteration, the effect is more one of starting the narrative quietly, but rather anxiously, especially as the initial M sounds are furthered by the consonance in "la__m__p-fla__m__e." The beginning of this poem feels almost like a murmur, as Mary waits worriedly for her husband's return.

SHAKESPEARE __King Lear__ Edgar: The __f__oul __f__iend __b__ites my __b__ack. (III. vi. 17) Effects: Here, alliteration in such tight quarters and of such a harsh physical sound (the F and B sounds) highlights the sinister nature of Edmund's words about demons. In the context of the play, Edmund's line follows King Lear's fantasies about devils attacking his ungrateful daughters and subtly presages Regan's eventual killing of a servant by stabbing him in the back. The combination of overall sound -- all characters on stage are raving about seemingly disparate subjects -- and the context of the situation(s) make for a general sense of hell-like menace. The alliteration is merely in keeping with this overall tone.