Introduction to the Villanelle
The Villanelle is a meticulously structured poetic form that blends repetition, rhythm, and rhyme to create emotional resonance. Originating from French pastoral poetry and popularized in the 19th and 20th centuries by poets like Dylan Thomas and Elizabeth Bishop, it challenges writers to balance creativity within its rigid framework. This 19-line poem uses two recurring refrains and a precise ABA rhyme scheme, inviting poets to explore themes of obsession, cyclical time, or unrelenting emotion.
The 19-Line Framework
The Villanelle's structure is both mathematical and poetic:
Five tercets (three-line stanzas)
One quatrain (four-line stanza)
19 lines total: 5 x 3 + 4 = 19
The poem begins with a stanza of three lines, where the first and third lines become refrains, repeated in alternating order throughout subsequent stanzas. The final quatrain closes with both refrains appearing consecutively.
Breakdown of Repeating Lines
Here's how the refrains unfold:
Line 1: Refrain A (A1) appears in Tercet 1 (line 1), Tercet 2 (line 6), Tercet 4 (line 12), and Quatrain (line 19).
Line 3: Refrain B (A2) appears in Tercet 1 (line 3), Tercet 3 (line 9), Tercet 5 (line 15), and Quatrain (line 18).
This pattern creates a cyclical rhythm, emphasizing themes through repetition while allowing slight variations in context.
Rhyme Scheme Breakdown
The Villanelle's rhyme scheme follows an ABA pattern for each tercet and ABAA for the quatrain:
Tercet 1: A1 (refrain), B, A2 (refrain)
Tercet 2: C, B, A1
Tercet 3: D, B, A2
Tercet 4: E, B, A1
Tercet 5: F, B, A2
Quatrain: G, B, A2, A1
All A lines (A1, A2, C, D, E, F, G) must rhyme, while all B lines share a consistent secondary rhyme. This creates a cohesive musicality while allowing lyrical flexibility in the non-refrain lines.
Thematic Considerations
The Villanelle's repetitive nature suits themes that echo or evolve:
Obsession or longing (e.g., Sylvia Plath's Mad Girl's Love Song)
Cyclical time (e.g., The Waking by Theodore Roethke)
Resistance or resilience (e.g., Dylan Thomas's Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night)
The refrains act as anchors, their meanings subtly shifting with each repetition. Poets must craft these lines to carry multiple layers of interpretation.
Practical Tips for Writing a Villanelle
Choose refrains wisely: Pick lines that can support varied contexts and emotional depth.
Map the structure: Outline a skeleton of line numbers and rhyme patterns before drafting.
Limit variation in B lines: While the B lines are new in each stanza, they should harmonize with the overall tone.
Embrace iteration: Revise refrains to ensure their rhythm and rhyme remain consistent.
Climax in the quatrain: Use the final stanza to resolve or reframe the poem's central tension.
Examples to Inspire
Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night: Uses refrains to explore mortality and defiance.
Elizabeth Bishop's One Art: Turns the Villanelle into a meditation on loss and acceptance.
These masterpieces demonstrate how strict form can amplify emotional weight.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the Villanelle requires patience and precision, but its structured repetition rewards poets with a unique vehicle for storytelling. By adhering to its rules while infusing personal voice, writers can transform constraint into profound artistry. Whether you're a novice or seasoned poet, the Villanelle offers a timeless challenge-one that celebrates the beauty of boundaries.