What is a vianelle poem?

Answer 1

A villanelle is a complex rime and refrain structured verseform derived from medieval models by a fairly complex process of mistaken understanding in Nineteenth Century France, and made popular in Nineteenth Century and Twentieth Century English poetry.

It is difficult to define a villanelle, but very easy to demonstrate what one is by example:

: 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 learned, 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.

The rimepattern and the repeated lines are both required by villanelle form - though there is considerable freedom in the metre used.

The best way to find out about villanelles is to write a few - trying to precisely define one is a headache.

Answer 2

A villanelle poem is a structured form of poetry consisting of 19 lines with a specific rhyme scheme and repeating refrains. It is known for its intricate structure and typically explores themes of obsession, memory, or repetition. Notable examples include "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas.