Question 2 of 10: Why were meter and alliteration important poetic devices to 14th-century poets? A. They made poems distinctive. B. They lengthened lines on the page. C. They imitated natural speech. D. They aided memorization. SUBMIT
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D. They aided memorization.
Meter and alliteration were critical devices for poets in the 14th century, primarily because they served as mnemonic aids in an era when literacy was not widespread, and many people experienced poetry through oral tradition rather than the written word. Meter provided a consistent rhythmic structure that made verses easier to memorize and recite, while alliteration—repetition of the initial consonant sounds in a series of words—added another layer of acoustic patterning that would help a listener recall the lines.