A villanelle is a specific type of poem known for its distinctive rhyme scheme and repeating lines. It has a long history, originating from Italy in the 16th century, and it has been used by many famous poets, including Dylan Thomas and W. H. Auden. Despite its unique and rigid structure, a villanelle remains one of the most beloved forms in poetry. To understand how many tercets are in a villanelle, it’s important to first get familiar with the basics of its form and structure.
The villanelle is composed of 19 lines, with a strict pattern of repetition. These 19 lines are divided into five tercets (three-line stanzas) followed by a final quatrain (four-line stanza). This repeating structure creates a musical and rhythmic quality, often giving the poem a sense of obsession or focus on a specific idea or theme.
But what exactly are tercets? Tercets are simply three-line stanzas, which can be found in many different types of poems, not just villanelles. In the case of a villanelle, there are five tercets, followed by a quatrain, making up the total of 19 lines. Let’s break this down further to understand how the villanelle works.
The Rhyme Scheme of a Villanelle
This pattern of alternating between two rhyming sounds continues throughout the five tercets. The two lines that repeat in the poem (the first and third lines) are called refrains. These refrains create a sense of circularity or a back-and-forth motion as they are repeated at specific intervals throughout the poem.
The poem concludes with a quatrain, or a four-line stanza, where the final lines of the poem contain the two refrains. This final quatrain ties the poem together and adds emphasis to the theme or message of the poem.
Why Are There Five Tercets in a Villanelle?
To understand why there are five tercets in a villanelle, we need to look at the history of the form. The villanelle was originally a form of Italian pastoral poetry. In the early years, it was used for love poems or poems about nature. Over time, the structure of the villanelle evolved, and it became a favorite of English poets, who began experimenting with the form. The 19-line structure, with five tercets and a quatrain, is a result of this evolution.
The repetition of the first and third lines in the poem plays a key role in this structure. The use of five tercets allows the poet to build up an argument or emotion with each repetition, adding depth and resonance to the idea being explored. By the time the final quatrain arrives, the theme or message is fully developed, with the refrains giving the poem a sense of finality or resolution.
How to Write a Villanelle
Writing a villanelle can seem daunting at first due to its strict structure and rhyme scheme. However, once you understand the basic rules, it becomes easier to craft a poem that follows this form. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing your own villanelle:
Choose your subject: The subject of your villanelle should be something that lends itself to repetition. This could be a feeling, an idea, or a situation that you want to explore in depth.
Create two refrains: The first and third lines of your poem will become the refrains. These lines will be repeated at specific intervals throughout the poem. Make sure these lines are strong and meaningful, as they will carry much of the weight of your poem.
Follow the rhyme scheme: As you write your villanelle, stick to the rhyme scheme of A1, b, A2, a, b, and so on. The refrains will help anchor the structure, while the other lines will fill in the gaps.
Keep your language simple and direct: The villanelle’s repetitive nature can make the poem feel almost hypnotic. Keeping your language simple and direct can enhance this effect, creating a sense of focus or obsession.
Write the final quatrain: The final quatrain should use the refrains in the last two lines, bringing the poem to a conclusion. This is where the theme or message of your poem should come full circle.
Why Villanelles Are Special
The villanelle is a unique poetic form because of its structure and its use of repetition. By repeating the same lines at regular intervals, the poet creates a feeling of rhythm and music, making the poem more engaging. This repetition also gives the poet the opportunity to emphasize a particular idea or emotion, helping the reader feel the weight of the theme.
The villanelle has been used by many famous poets, including Dylan Thomas’s famous poem Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night. This poem uses the villanelle form to emphasize the urgency of resisting death, and the repetition of the refrains “Do not go gentle into that good night” and “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” intensifies the emotional impact of the poem.
Example of a Villanelle
To further understand the structure of a villanelle, let’s take a look at a brief example. Below is a simple villanelle that follows the 19-line structure with five tercets and one quatrain.
The Song of the Sea
The waves crash against the shore so wide,
Their sound a song that never fades,
The sea is calling to me, deep inside.
The wind is fierce, the waters glide,
I hear the echoes of ancient shades,
The waves crash against the shore so wide.
I stand alone, my soul untied,
The sea, a whisper, that never persuades,
The sea is calling to me, deep inside.
The tide returns, its rhythm a guide,
A dance that always ebbs and fades,
The waves crash against the shore so wide.
I try to listen, but I cannot hide,
The ocean’s pull, the path it invades,
The sea is calling to me, deep inside.
The waves crash against the shore so wide,
The sea is calling to me, deep inside.
In this example, the refrains “The waves crash against the shore so wide” and “The sea is calling to me, deep inside” are repeated throughout the poem, giving it a sense of focus. The five tercets each develop the theme, and the final quatrain brings the poem to a close.
Conclusion
A villanelle is a beautiful and powerful poetic form, with its 19 lines divided into five tercets and a quatrain. The structure and repetition inherent in the villanelle create a unique rhythm, making it a favorite among poets. Whether used to explore emotions, ideas, or stories, the villanelle allows the poet to delve deeply into a subject through repetition and rhyme. By understanding the number of tercets in a villanelle and the way they function, you can better appreciate this poetic form and even try your hand at writing your own.
The strict structure of the villanelle might seem challenging at first, but it’s this very constraint that gives the form its distinctive beauty. By embracing the structure, you can use repetition to emphasize and explore powerful themes in your poetry. So, whether you’re writing your first villanelle or just exploring the form, understanding how many tercets are in a villanelle—five—provides a foundation for crafting your own lyrical masterpiece.
