Etymology:
The word "villanelle" is derived from the Old French term "virelai," which means "little lay" or "little song." The suffix "-elle" was added to the word to indicate a smaller size or form.
Meaning:
A villanelle is a nineteen-line poem with a fixed rhyme scheme and refrain. It is characterized by:
Origin:
The villanelle originated in France during the 15th century. It became popular in the 16th century and was widely used by French poets such as Jean de la Fontaine and Guillaume de Lorris.
The villanelle was introduced to English literature in the 19th century by poets such as Edgar Allan Poe and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It became popular again in the 20th century, particularly among modernist poets such as Dylan Thomas and Theodore Roethke.
Form and Structure:
The villanelle consists of nineteen lines arranged in the following pattern:
The refrains are used as lines 1, 6, 12, and 18. The last line is line 3 of the first stanza.
Example of a villanelle:
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray, Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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