A villanelle is a highly structured form of poetry known for its rhyme scheme and repetitive nature. It is a perfect blend of artistry and discipline, allowing poets to create emotional depth and artistic beauty through a series of strict rules. The villanelle is one of the most well-known forms of French verse, originating in the 16th century, and it has stood the test of time due to its captivating structure.
In this article, we will delve into the rules of the villanelle and explore how poets can apply these principles to craft compelling poems. Along with the rules, we will also look at examples, tips, and ways to experiment with the form.
What is a Villanelle?
Before we dive into the specifics of the villanelle’s rules, let us first understand what makes this form unique. A villanelle is a 19-line poem that follows a strict rhyme and refrain pattern. The poem is divided into five tercets (three-line stanzas) and a concluding quatrain (four-line stanza). The key feature of a villanelle is its repetitive refrains, which are lines that repeat throughout the poem.
The structure and repetitive refrains create a sense of rhythm, movement, and intensification, making the villanelle a powerful poetic form for conveying strong emotions, themes of obsession, or contemplation.
The Rules for Writing a Villanelle
The villanelle’s structure and formal rules are what give it both its charm and challenge. To compose a proper villanelle, poets must follow the following guidelines:
Number of Lines
A villanelle consists of 19 lines in total. These are arranged in a specific sequence of five tercets followed by a final quatrain.
Five tercets: 3 lines each (totaling 15 lines).
One quatrain: 4 lines, which is the final stanza.
Rhyme Scheme
The villanelle follows a specific rhyme scheme, with the rhymes of the tercets and quatrain being interwoven in a particular way.
The rhyme scheme is ABA for each tercet.
The rhyme scheme for the final quatrain is ABA as well, but the last two lines repeat the refrain lines from the first tercets.
This structure allows for the poem to be both musically consistent and emotionally charged, as the refrains come back again and again, adding layers of meaning with each repetition.
Refrains
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of a villanelle is its refrains. These are two lines that repeat alternately throughout the poem, specifically in the following way:
The first refrain is the first line of the poem and repeats at the end of the second and fourth tercets (lines 6 and 12).
The second refrain is the third line of the poem and repeats at the end of the third and fifth tercets (lines 9 and 15).
In the final quatrain, both refrains are used once again (lines 18 and 19).
The purpose of the refrains is to create a sense of circularity, bringing the reader back to the beginning of the poem with new insights after every repetition. The refrains emphasize key ideas and heighten the emotional tension or themes of the poem.
Meter
Although a villanelle does not require a fixed meter, most traditional villanelles are written in iambic pentameter (five feet per line, with each foot being an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable). This meter is often used because it provides a steady rhythm that complements the repetitive structure of the poem.
However, some contemporary poets may use a more flexible meter or other rhythmic patterns, depending on their stylistic preferences.
Content and Themes
Villanelles are known for their focus on intense emotions, repetition of ideas, or obsessive thoughts. The repetitive structure of the villanelle often conveys a sense of cyclical or unending nature, making it a perfect form for themes of love, loss, regret, memory, or longing.
When writing a villanelle, it is important to consider the content and theme that will benefit from the repetition of ideas and emotions. The refrains should not be merely decorative—they need to add meaning and depth to the poem, helping to illustrate the complexity of the emotion or idea being explored.
Punctuation and Line Breaks
Although there are no strict rules for punctuation in a villanelle, poets often use punctuation strategically to enhance the poem’s meaning and flow. Since the villanelle has a repetitive structure, punctuation marks such as commas, periods, or dashes can serve as pauses between the refrains and other lines, intensifying the rhythm or creating contrast between the refrain lines and the rest of the poem.
Similarly, line breaks in a villanelle should be carefully considered to ensure that the meaning of the poem remains clear, despite the frequent repetition. The breaks can control the pacing of the poem and offer a sense of closure or continuation.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Villanelle
Now that we have outlined the core rules of a villanelle, let’s go through a step-by-step process for writing a villanelle. While the rules may seem restrictive at first, they offer ample room for creative expression once you become familiar with the form.
Step 1: Choose Your Theme
Start by deciding what theme or idea you want to explore. Villanelles work best with themes that benefit from repetition—love, regret, obsession, longing, or philosophical contemplation are all common choices. Think about an idea or emotion that could be enhanced through the use of repetitive refrains.
Step 2: Select Your Refrains
Since the refrains are a critical part of the villanelle, decide on two lines that will act as your refrains. These lines should encapsulate the central idea of your poem. Be sure that the lines have a natural rhythm and can stand alone as poignant statements, as they will be repeated several times.
Step 3: Create the Structure
Begin your poem with your first line (which will also be the first refrain). From there, build out the rest of the poem, ensuring that you maintain the ABA rhyme scheme for the tercets. The refrain lines will repeat at the proper intervals, so pay attention to where the first and second refrains should appear.
After completing the five tercets, write the final quatrain, which should echo the same rhyme scheme and bring the poem to a satisfying close by repeating both refrains in the last two lines.
Step 4: Pay Attention to Meter
While not strictly necessary, most villanelles are written in iambic pentameter. If you choose to write in this meter, pay close attention to the syllabic count and stresses of each line. This will help maintain a consistent rhythm and musicality throughout the poem.
Step 5: Edit and Revise
Once you’ve written your first draft of the villanelle, read it aloud to get a sense of its rhythm and flow. Look for areas where the repetition of refrains feels too forced or where the poem might need more variation to maintain interest. You may need to make slight adjustments to the meter, punctuation, or word choices to improve the poem’s overall impact.
Famous Villanelles
To understand the full potential of the villanelle form, it’s helpful to examine a few famous examples. Here are some well-known villanelles that have made a lasting impact on readers:
“Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas’ villanelle is perhaps the most famous in the English language. It explores themes of defiance, death, and the desire to fight against the inevitable end. The repetition of the refrain lines gives the poem an almost incantatory quality, heightening the emotional intensity.
“One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop’s villanelle examines the theme of loss and the art of letting go. The repeated refrain lines, “The art of losing isn’t hard to master,” create a sense of emotional resignation while also reflecting the speaker’s struggle to come to terms with their losses.
“Mad Girl’s Love Song” by Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath’s villanelle is a dramatic exploration of obsession, love, and madness. The refrain lines echo the speaker’s internal turmoil, creating a sense of chaos and emotional tension throughout the poem.
Variations and Contemporary Approaches
While the traditional villanelle is strictly structured, contemporary poets often experiment with the form, introducing variations in meter, rhyme, and even the number of lines. Some poets choose to break away from iambic pentameter, while others may manipulate the refrains to introduce new meanings.
The villanelle, though rooted in tradition, remains a flexible form that invites poets to push the boundaries of structure while still maintaining the integrity of its core rules.
Conclusion
The villanelle is a unique and challenging poetic form that offers poets the opportunity to experiment with repetition, rhyme, and meter to create evocative, emotionally charged poems. By following the rules of the form—19 lines, a specific rhyme scheme, and alternating refrains—poets can craft pieces that resonate deeply with readers, exploring themes of love, loss, and longing.
While the rules of the villanelle may seem rigid at first glance, they serve as a foundation for creative expression, allowing poets to infuse their work with personal meaning, rhythm, and emotion. With patience and practice, writers can master the villanelle and produce unforgettable poems that stand the test of time.
