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NoVember is Villanelle Month...
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NoVember is Villanelle Month... |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA 
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This workshop is primarily a repost of the one we did last year about this time... I figure that if the "wheel's not broken, don't fix it.."... right? So then - The Villanelle - Definitely one of my favorite formats... The lyrical effect of the repetitions really makes the poem sing to you, doesn't it? There are three very important elements to consider when composing your poem - (a)Theme Development, (b) Rhyme Scheme and (c) Meter. All are equally important to the successful completion of your work. It's extremely important to spend time thinking about your theme and planning how to develop it. The theme needs to be one that you can culminate in nineteen lines, eight of which are repeated throughout the poem. This, of course, means that you must also construct your lines in a way that is general enough to allow you to effectively develop the theme in spite of the repetitions. So - think carefully about your intention for the context of your poem. Most of you know how to write in a poetic rhyme scheme, but we'll do a quick synopsis as a reminder. Simply assign each successive rhyming line's end word with the same letter (in alphabetical order) throughout the poem. For example - Look at Balladeer's villanelle, "The Enemy". quote: a-b-a/a-b-a/a-b-a/a-b-a/a-b-a/a-b-a-a... Balladeer's poems are also excellent examples of poetic meter, as he is very consistent about maintaining it throughout his poetry. In this villanelle, the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables within each line of verse is written in (almost  ) flawless iambic tetrameter.Read the words so-CON/fi-DENT/and-VOID/of-FEAR (-/-/-/-/) Read these lines a few times - along with the rest of the poem, and you'll feel the rhythm of the iambic (unstressed-STRESSED) pattern in each line. If either element, rhyme scheme or meter, is not intact, a poem can seem to be "forced" to rhyme. Conversely, with both properly intune, your work will hum like a symphony. I personally find it easiest to begin my villanelle at the end - the final quatrain, that's four lines of verse, written with a rhyme scheme of a-b-a-a - This will eventually evolve into the culmination of your Villanelle - So consider your theme carefully, and plan upon the third and fourth lines being repeated throughout your final poem. The last lines of this quatrain will later become the first lines of the poem - so make it a good one (one that states your theme). There are no stipulations as to the meter you choose, but you'll have a better overall effect if you're consistent - Meter is fairly easy to smooth out by nipping and tucking syllables, so make it your second priority - not your first. Do try to be consistent about the number of syllables that you use in each line, however. That will make it easier edit, and to give your poem a specified meter. NEXT STEP - Setting up the poem in format... The format of a villanelle is a very specific repetition of two lines, with two other alternating rhymed lines incorporated as well. The format is: We have five tercets (three-line stanzas)with a-b-a rhyme schemes and a final quatrain with an a-b-a-a scheme. The last two lines of your quatrain, a1 and a2 will be plugged in as indicated - The rest isn't as simple as you might think - You ALWAYS have to consider how you're developing your THEME. Then, you have to maintain your METER - and come up with some good lines that will accomplish both, and still rhyme as I've indicated. Oh - and the end result has to sound like it was just the simplest thing you've ever written.... You may find yourself wanting to make some fundamental changes at this point - That's normal. For instance, the first two lines of the last quatrain may just fit better in another stanza before you're through. Another important point is whether or not to repeat your lines exactly. There are two schools of thought on this point. The more traditional concept (Balladeer's) is that you must always repeat verbatim. The more liberal viewpoint is that some minor alterations in line content can be allowed for the enhancement of the theme development. I'll post my "Friends or Lovers" below. This one was written with a more liberal format. Throughout our lives we're ever dreaming of The day we'll find that perfect sweet caress. How shall we know when friendship's really love? A quest for raptured hearts the conduit of Life's bask in yearning throngs of WistfullNess. Forever seems our lifelong dreams are of The hope we may imbue our hearts thereof With exultation, but we shan't unless We recognize when friendship's turned to love. Whence all emotions fit like hand in glove It may just be - 'Tis serendipitous. Those things in life we're ever dreaming of As rhapsody's sung on the wing of dove And, one to each, our promise we profess How do we know this friendship's really love? Whence we have placed our faith in Hands above Each ray of sun bestows SagaciousNess No longer things we're only dreaming of We'll surely know when friendship's one with love. OK, guys - Let's see how you do - Dig in!!...  [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 11-07-2000).] |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
isn't one enough??? lol Jamie Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. - Virgil. "Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely". |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
That totally depends upon how you behave in here, Jamie... If you're bothering the girls, we make you write more... |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
*shaking his head* "What have I gotten myself into??" ------------------------------------------------------- That which gives light must endure burning --Victor Frankl |
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