Villanelle Structure
A villanelle is a 19-line poem with a specific structure. Here’s how it’s organized:
Structure of a Villanelle:
1. Stanzas:
5 tercets (three-line stanzas) followed by a quatrain (four-line stanza).
2. Rhyme Scheme:
ABA for the tercets. ABAA for the quatrain.
3. Repetition:
The first and third lines of the opening tercet are alternately repeated at the end of each subsequent tercet and both are repeated in the final quatrain.
Example Layout:
Tercet 1:
Line 1 (A), Line 2 (B), Line 3 (A)
Tercet 2:
Line 4 (A), Line 5 (B), Line 6 (A)
Tercet 3:
Line 7 (A), Line 8 (B), Line 9 (A)
Tercet 4:
Line 10 (A), Line 11 (B), Line 12 (A)
Quatrain:
Line 13 (A), Line 14 (B), Line 15 (A), Line 16 (A)
This structure creates a musical quality and allows for the exploration of themes through repeated lines. A well-known example of a villanelle is Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.” Would you like more information on this poem or the villanelle form?
Villanelle Rules
Here are the essential rules for writing a villanelle:
Villanelle Rules:
1. Total Lines: 19 lines.
Comprised of 5 tercets (3-line stanzas) followed by a quatrain (4-line stanza).
2. Rhyme Scheme:
Tercets: ABA Quatrain: ABAA
3. Repetition:
The first line of the poem is repeated as the last line of the second and fourth tercets.
The third line of the poem is repeated as the last line of the third and fifth tercets.
4. Meter: While there’s no strict meter, many villanelles are written in iambic pentameter, creating a rhythmic flow.
5. Themes: Villanelles often explore intense emotions, such as love, loss, or existential reflections, making them powerful for conveying deep feelings.
By following these rules, you can create a structured yet expressive poem that emphasizes key ideas through repetition! Would you like tips on writing a villanelle?
Villanelle Format
The villanelle format is a specific structure that poets follow when writing a villanelle. Here’s an overview of the format:
1. Total Lines
A villanelle contains 19 lines in total.
2. Stanza Structure
The poem is composed of:
Five tercets (three-line stanzas), One quatrain (four-line stanza)
3. Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme is as follows:
Tercets: Each tercet follows the ABA pattern. Quatrain: The quatrain follows the ABAA pattern.
4. Refrains
The first line of the poem (A1) is repeated as the last line of the second and fourth tercets.
The third line of the poem (A2) is repeated as the last line of the first and third tercets.
5. Meter
Villanelles are typically written in iambic pentameter, meaning each line has ten syllables with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.
Variations in meter are allowed but should maintain the overall rhythmic quality.
This format highlights the repetitive structure and rhyme scheme that characterize a villanelle, contributing to its lyrical and emotional impact. By adhering to this format, poets can craft works that resonate deeply with readers through rhythm and repetition.
Famous Villanelle Poem
“Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
This powerful villanelle urges resistance against death, emphasizing the struggle for life and the defiance of mortality.
“Mad Girl’s Love Song” by Sylvia Plath
A haunting exploration of love and madness, this poem blends surreal imagery with a deep emotional resonance, capturing the complexities of desire.
“If I Could Tell You” by W. H. Auden
This villanelle reflects on uncertainty and the passage of time, contemplating love and the difficulties of communication.
“One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop
A meditation on loss, this poem employs the villanelle form to convey the inevitability of losing things we love and the art of coping with that loss.
“The Waking” by Theodore Roethke
This introspective villanelle explores themes of life, consciousness, and the cyclical nature of existence, blending natural imagery with philosophical inquiry.
Villanelle Poet
Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
Best known for his villanelle “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,” which passionately confronts the theme of resistance against death.
Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)
Renowned for her villanelle “Mad Girl’s Love Song,” which explores the complexities of love and mental illness with vivid and striking imagery.
Elizabeth Bishop (1911–1979)
Known for her poignant villanelle “One Art,” reflecting on loss and the inevitability of parting with grace and introspection.
Theodore Roethke (1908–1963)
Famous for his villanelle “The Waking,” which delves into themes of life, consciousness, and the natural world with philosophical depth.
W. H. Auden (1907–1973)
Contributed to the villanelle form with “If I Could Tell You,” contemplating love and the uncertainties of time with emotional resonance.
Bette Howland (1937–2017)
A contemporary poet known for her exploration of personal and social themes within the structured villanelle format.
Rita Dove (1952)
An acclaimed poet who has utilized the villanelle form to address complex emotional and cultural themes, showcasing her unique voice.
John E. D. B. Dwyer (1950)
Recognized for his innovative approach to the villanelle in contemporary poetry, often blending traditional and modern elements.
Nicolas Slonimsky (1894–1995)
A composer and poet who explored the villanelle form in his literary works, combining musicality with poetic expression.
Mary Jo Bang (1946)
A contemporary poet celebrated for her distinctive contributions to the villanelle, often addressing personal and societal issues with clarity.