VILLANELLES
Read. Listen. Explore. Compose. Learn.
Villanelle Poems Page
Read and listen to the following poems. Sound plays an important role in the appreciation and understanding of a villanelle, so listening and reading are both meaningful. Pay attention to the way the each refrain is changed and changes the poem. On the Villanelle Worksheet, respond to the prompts that correspond with each poem (promtps 2-6).
While you read/listen, think about:
How tone builds throughout the repetitions of the refrains.
While you read/listen, think about:
How repetition of the refrains enhances the "madness" of the speaker.
While you read/listen, think about:
How refrains add meaning to the theme of loss.
While you read/listen, think about:
How the tone changes with each repetition of the refrains.
Hate the Villanelle
by They Might Be Giants
Read the Lyrics of the Song Here
Listen to the Song Here:
While you read/listen, think about:
How the villanelle form lends itself to songwriting.