How Do You Spell VILLANELLES?

1. A villanelle is a highly structured and intricate form of poetry consisting of nineteen lines divided into five tercets (three-line stanzas) and a quatrain (four-line stanza), resulting in a total of six stanzas. As a fixed verse form, a villanelle follows specific guidelines regarding rhyme scheme and repetition. Traditionally, the villanelle consists of two rhymes throughout: aba for the tercets and abaa for the quatrain. However, modern adaptations may have variations in the rhyme scheme.

   What makes the villanelle distinct is its strict repetition of two key lines throughout the poem. The first line of the opening tercet is repeated as the final line of the second, fourth, and fifth stanzas, while the third line of the opening tercet serves as the final line of the third and sixth stanzas. This repetition creates a sense of circularity, as these lines are intertwined and reappear strategically.

   Due to its complexity, a villanelle demands meticulous planning and exactitude from the poet. It requires a careful balance of repetition and variation, as well as adherence to the rhyme scheme. The nature of the form often lends itself to themes of nostalgia, loss, or recurring patterns, although it can be applied to any subject.

   Prominent examples of villanelles include "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas and "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop. The structure and skill required to compose a villanelle make it a challenging yet rewarding poetic form for both the poet and the reader.

Common Misspellings for VILLANELLES

The word "villanelle" comes from the Italian word "villanella" which means "peasant song" or "rustic song". It originated in the late 16th century as a form of pastoral poetry often composed to be sung. The term eventually evolved to refer to a specific poetic form with a specific structure and rhyme scheme. The popularity of the villanelle form grew in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly with poets such as Dylan Thomas and W.H. Auden.