Poetry possesses a remarkable ability to adhere to structured forms, even within the bounds of seemingly limitless expression. Among these forms, the villanelle stands out as both challenging and captivating. It’s a poetic dance, a careful repetition that builds resonance and layers meaning. This guide will unravel the intricacies of the villanelle, offering a clear definition, exploring its history, and demonstrating its application through illuminating examples.
What is a Villanelle? A Definition
A villanelle is a nineteen‑line poetic form that relies on a strict rhyme scheme and two refrains that recur throughout the poem. The poem is made up of five tercets (three‑line stanzas) followed by a quatrain (four‑line stanza). The defining characteristic is the recurrence of two rhymes and the repetition of the first and third lines. Line 1 is repeated as the last line of the second and fourth tercets; line 3 is repeated as the last line of the third and fifth tercets; and both lines reappear at the end of the final quatrain.
To summarise, the rhyme scheme can be shown as A b a A b a A b a A b a A b a A b a A, with lines 1 and 3 serving as the refrains.
Here’s a simple example to illustrate the pattern:
The winter wind begins to sigh (A)
It chills the heart and numbs the soul (b)
A lonely bird flies swiftly by (A)
The fire’s glow cannot deny (a)
The biting cold takes its cruel toll (b)
The winter wind begins to sigh (A)
The days grow short, the nights comply (a)
A stillness falls, beyond control (b)
The winter wind begins to sigh (A)
The snow descends from the grey sky (a)
A world transformed, a frozen role (b)
The winter wind begins to sigh (A)
The year is ending, by and by (a)
A season’s shift, beyond recall (b)
The winter wind begins to sigh (A)
A blanket white, beneath the eye (a)
A peaceful hush, embracing all (b)
The winter wind begins to sigh (A)
A Brief History of the Villanelle
The villanelle originated in 16th‑century France as a rustic village song. It was initially a simple, free‑rhythmic piece that celebrated pastoral life. Over time the form was formalised; by the 19th century poets such as Théophile Gautier had codified its strict rhyme scheme and refrains. English and American writers later adopted the structure, producing celebrated works that brought the villanelle to a wider audience.
Key Characteristics and How They Work
Rhyme Scheme
The villanelle’s rhyme scheme forces the poet to be creative with diction while maintaining musicality. By limiting the rhymes to two lines, the poem gains a hypnotic quality that echoes its thematic content.
Refrains
The refrains—lines 1 and 3—anchor the poem. They are repeated exactly, yet each appearance can acquire new shades of meaning as the poem progresses. The refrains pull the reader back to the central image while offering fresh perspectives.
Thematic Development
The repetitive nature of the villanelle makes it ideal for exploring themes of obsession, memory, loss, and cyclical events. The constant return to the refrains mirrors the relentless pull of these experiences, but poets can adapt the form to a wide range of subjects.
In-Depth Examples of Villanelles
“Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas’s poem is perhaps the most famous villanelle in the English language. The refrains “Do not go gentle into that good night” and “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” gain intensity with each repetition, reflecting the speaker’s desperate plea.
Do not go gentle into that good night (A)
Old age should burn and rave at close of day (b)
Rage, rage against the dying of the light (A)
Though wise men at their end know dark is right (a)
They will not see beyond the grave’s dismay (b)
Do not go gentle into that good night (A)
Good men, who in their own time have found their place (a)
They do not see the passing of the light (b)
Rage, rage against the dying of the light (A)
Wild men who caught the sun in flight (a)
And learn, too late, that they have lost the light (b)
Do not go gentle into that good night (A)
Grave men, near death, who feel the weight of fate (a)
In a world of gloom, they hold no hate (b)
Rage, rage against the dying of the light (A)
And you, my father, there on the sad height (a)
Curse, bless, I hear you now with your fierce tears (b)
Do not go gentle into that good night (A)
Rage, rage against the dying of the light (A)
“The Art of Losing” by Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop’s villanelle is a masterful meditation on loss. The refrain “The art of losing isn’t hard to master” begins straightforwardly but becomes increasingly complex as the poem unfolds.
The art of losing isn’t hard to master (A)
though you may look and search you’ll find it’s best (b)
to lose what is lost and see you’ve lost a master (A)
It’s different when the things you loved you’ve cast (a)
away, when you realise you’ve really lost (b)
The art of losing isn’t hard to master (A)
It’s like a map that doesn’t show the fastest (a)
roads, but offers paths you’ll walk at last (b)
The art of losing isn’t hard to master (A)
I’ve lost two cities, libraries, all the faster (a)
ways, and none of them were meant to last (b)
The art of losing isn’t hard to master (A)
I’ve lost everything that had a faster (a)
pace, all that was known, all that was past (b)
The art of losing isn’t hard to master (A)
And I’ve lost you—and now it’s harder (a)
than ever to know what’s meant to last (b)
The art of losing isn’t hard to master (A)
An Original Villanelle Example: “Echoes in the Hall”
Here’s a sample villanelle that follows the same structure:
The shadows lengthen, stories start to fade (A)
A whispered memory, a ghost of sound (b)
The echoes linger where the dreams were made (A)
The grand old house, a life in sun and shade (a)
Each room a chapter, lost then newly found (b)
The shadows lengthen, stories start to fade (A)
The portraits watch, a silent cavalcade (a)
Of faces gone, on hallowed, haunted ground (b)
The shadows lengthen, stories start to fade (A)
The scent of roses, a serenade (a)
A fragile beauty, fleeting and profound (b)
The shadows lengthen, stories start to fade (A)
The dust motes dance, a spectral parade (a)
Where laughter echoed, now no trace is crowned (b)
The shadows lengthen, stories start to fade (A)
A lonely heart, within this grand facade (a)
Remembers all, as time is unbound (b)
The shadows lengthen, stories start to fade (A)
Writing Your Own Villanelle
While challenging, writing a villanelle can be deeply rewarding. Here are a few tips:
- Start with strong refrains: Choose lines that are evocative and versatile enough to carry multiple meanings throughout the poem.
- Plan your thematic arc: Consider how the refrains will evolve and contribute to the overall message of the poem.
- Revise with care: The villanelle form demands precision. Be prepared to revise and refine your work multiple times.
The villanelle is more than just a poetic form; it is a conversation with tradition, a testament to the power of repetition, and an invitation to explore the depths of human experience. By understanding its intricacies and embracing its challenges, you can unlock a unique and compelling mode of poetic expression.