Here's how a villanelle works:
Structure:
* Five tercets (three-line stanzas)
* A concluding quatrain (four-line stanza)
* Two refrains:
* Line 1 is repeated as lines 6, 12, and 18.
* Line 3 is repeated as lines 9, 15, and 19.
Rhyme Scheme:
* Tercets: ABA
* Quatrain: ABAA
Example:
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas
* Line 1: "Do not go gentle into that good night"
* Line 3: "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
* Line 6: "Do not go gentle into that good night."
* Line 9: "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
* Line 12: "Do not go gentle into that good night."
* Line 15: "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
* Line 18: "Do not go gentle into that good night."
* Line 19: "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Key Features:
* Repetition: The repeated lines create a sense of momentum and emphasize the poem's central theme.
* Musicality: The strict rhyme scheme and repetitive structure lend a musical quality to the poem.
* Emotional Impact: The villanelle's structure allows for the development of complex emotions and the exploration of deep themes.
* Variety: Despite its strict form, the villanelle offers a surprisingly wide range of potential subject matter and styles.
Examples of Famous Villanelles:
* "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas
* "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath
* "The Waking" by Theodore Roethke
* "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop
The villanelle is a challenging form to master, but it can be a powerful tool for creating memorable and impactful poetry.