A villanelle is one of the most distinctive and challenging forms of poetry. With its specific structure, repeated lines, and intricate rhyme scheme, it demands both creativity and precision. For those looking to explore traditional poetry forms, mastering the villanelle can be both rewarding and intellectually stimulating. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding, composing, and refining a villanelle poem, along with examples, tips, and techniques to ensure your writing process is smooth and successful.
What is a Villanelle?
The villanelle is a fixed form of poetry that consists of 19 lines divided into six stanzas. The first five stanzas are tercets (three-line stanzas), and the final stanza is a quatrain (four-line stanza). What sets the villanelle apart is its strict rhyme and refrain structure. Specifically, the first and third lines of the opening stanza serve as the refrains, which alternate at the end of each subsequent stanza and are both repeated at the end of the final quatrain.
The rhyme scheme follows an ABA pattern for the tercets, and the quatrain ends with a ABAA pattern. The alternating refrain lines create a musical quality, almost like a song, adding to the emotional intensity of the poem.
Key Features of a Villanelle
Fixed Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is ABA for the tercets, and ABAA for the final quatrain.
Refrains: The first and third lines of the first stanza are repeated alternately throughout the poem and appear together in the final quatrain.
No Set Meter: While the villanelle’s structure is rigid, there is no required meter, although many poets choose iambic pentameter for rhythm.
The History of the Villanelle
The villanelle has its roots in Italian Renaissance poetry. The term “villanelle” originally referred to a simple pastoral song, derived from the Latin word villanella, meaning a country or rustic song. It evolved over time into a more structured form during the 16th century, particularly in France, where poets like Jean Passerat popularized it. The villanelle’s current form was established during the 19th century by French poets, and it gained prominence in English poetry through the works of poets like Dylan Thomas and W. H. Auden.
One of the most famous villanelles in the English language is Dylan Thomas’ “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,” a powerful meditation on death and defiance. This example illustrates how the repetition of refrains can intensify the emotional impact of a poem. As you explore writing a villanelle, keep in mind how the form’s unique qualities—repetition, rhyme, and structure—serve to enhance the emotional and thematic weight of a poem.
Steps to Writing a Villanelle Poem
Writing a villanelle requires both planning and creativity. You need to be mindful of structure while allowing room for expression and exploration. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft your own villanelle:
Choose a Theme or Subject Matter
Before you start writing, think about what you want your villanelle to express. Villanelles often explore deep, introspective themes, such as loss, memory, love, or defiance. The repetitive structure of the form is well-suited to these themes, as it allows for emphasis and a sense of obsession or persistence.
The theme you select will guide the rest of your writing process. Villanelles are often most effective when they explore a feeling or argument that can benefit from repeated refrains.
Create a List of Potential Refrains
The first step in constructing the structure of a villanelle is to decide on the two refrains that will bookend your poem. Since the first and third lines of the opening stanza will be repeated throughout the poem, these lines must be powerful, memorable, and meaningful.
Think of a phrase that is both flexible and evocative. The refrains should be emotionally or thematically significant, providing room for subtle variation and expansion as the poem progresses.
Avoid using too many specific details. Refrains are often abstract or open to interpretation, so that they can take on different meanings as they are repeated.
For example, in Dylan Thomas’ “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,” the refrain “Do not go gentle into that good night” becomes more poignant and urgent with each repetition, especially as the speaker reflects on the inevitable approach of death.
Construct the First Stanza
Once you’ve chosen your refrains, construct the first stanza. Remember, the first line of the first stanza will become the first refrain, and the third line will become the second refrain.
Here’s an example to illustrate:
The sun is setting low upon the hills, (A)
I hear the wind, the world begins to dim. (B)
Its quiet whisper sends a song that stills. (A)
The first line, “The sun is setting low upon the hills,” is the first refrain and will be repeated at the end of the second, fourth, and sixth stanzas.
The third line, “Its quiet whisper sends a song that stills,” becomes the second refrain, which will be repeated at the end of the third and fifth stanzas.
Develop the Following Stanzas
After writing the first stanza, move on to the following five tercets. Remember that the first and third lines of each stanza will repeat the refrains, so each stanza should begin with a line that links back to the poem’s theme while incorporating one of the refrains.
For example, in the second stanza, you would repeat the first refrain, and in the third stanza, you would repeat the second refrain. Here’s how it looks:
The sun is setting low upon the hills, (A)
And as the dark grows closer, shadows fall, (B)
I watch the sky in awe, my heart it fills. (A)
Its quiet whisper sends a song that stills, (A)
The fading light pulls at my weary soul. (B)
The night grows deep, and silence softly spills. (A)
Notice how the refrains tie the stanzas together, creating a sense of continuity and development. The content of the poem progresses, but the refrains provide a sense of return, as though the speaker is wrestling with the same thoughts or emotions over and over.
Write the Final Quatrain
The final stanza of the villanelle is a quatrain (four-line stanza). This stanza must end with both refrains, with the first refrain appearing as the second-to-last line and the second refrain appearing as the final line.
Here’s an example of a possible final quatrain:
The sun is setting low upon the hills, (A)
I feel the cold embrace of evening’s might. (B)
Its quiet whisper sends a song that stills, (A)
A lullaby to close the fading light. (A)
This final quatrain should bring the poem to a satisfying conclusion while reinforcing the emotional tone established throughout the rest of the poem. The refrains in this final stanza should resonate deeply, as they encapsulate the central theme and echo the poem’s progression.
Refine and Edit Your Villanelle
Once you’ve written the full villanelle, take time to refine and edit. Here are some tips to help you improve your poem:
Check your rhyme scheme: The villanelle’s structure is very strict, so make sure that the rhymes are consistent and correct throughout the poem.
Consider the rhythm: While there is no required meter, many poets choose a rhythm like iambic pentameter. Make sure the lines flow naturally and maintain a musical quality.
Focus on the refrains: The refrains should be impactful and carry emotional weight. As you edit, make sure the repetition enhances the poem’s meaning and doesn’t feel forced or redundant.
Tighten your language: Villanelles can become unwieldy with too many words, so be sure to edit your language for precision and clarity. Every word should serve a purpose.
Tips for Writing a Strong Villanelle
Work with Emotion: The villanelle’s repetitive structure is powerful for evoking a sense of obsession or persistence. Choose a theme that lends itself to this sense of emotional buildup—grief, love, hope, regret, or longing all work well in the villanelle form.
Plan Your Refrains Carefully: The refrains are the heart of the villanelle. Think carefully about how each refrain contributes to the development of the poem’s themes and emotions. Avoid cliché phrases, and instead, try to write something that feels both fresh and deeply resonant.
Stay True to the Form: While the villanelle allows for creativity in terms of subject matter, its strict structure demands attention to detail. Don’t be tempted to stray from the rhyme scheme or refrain pattern; the challenge of following the form is part of the creative process.
Use the Refrains to Create Progression: As you write, think about how the repetition of the refrains can create a sense of movement or change. In some villanelles, the refrains become more intense or evolve in meaning as the poem progresses.
Practice and Patience: Writing a villanelle is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t turn out as expected. Keep experimenting with different themes, refrains, and structures.
Conclusion
Writing a villanelle is a rewarding exercise in both creativity and discipline. With its intricate structure, repeated refrains, and potential for deep emotional resonance, the villanelle is a form that allows poets to explore and express powerful themes in a unique and compelling way. By understanding its history, following a step-by-step approach, and practicing diligently, you can craft a villanelle that captivates and moves your readers.