Alliteration of 'G' sound?

Question

I'm currently studying poetry and have noticed the use of the alliteration of the 'G' sound in Hopkins' "Pied Beauty".

"Glory be to God for dappled things"

Now, I know the 'G' sound is soft but I'm not too sure what it represents in this situation. Can somebody help me out?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Where are we humans leading ourselves to?

What does an alliteration of the sound 'G' represent in a poetry, the poet of which had not the slightest nuance that such a question might sprout based on a line from his poetry. Leave the poor poet's soul.

I can say it is probably because it contrasts with the sharp sound of 'D' in 'DappleD.'

Sounds nice when you hear it.

Answer 2

It's quite simply a common expression of wonder and praise "Glory be to God" often rendered as "Glory be".  The alliteration is felicitous but not studied; I think you need to look a little further and consider that the poet, himself a priest, having started to observe the patterns and diversity of colours in Nature, and expressed his wonder and praise with "Glory be to God", realised that there were further opportunities for alliteration (always a good ornament in poetry) and carried on using it wherever he could.

Of course it then occurs in many places in the poem and adds great force, richness and emphasis to this lovely work.