The Ballad Tradition

14th and 15th Centuries

Rhymed verse that was recited or sung

Themes Murderous acts / desire for revenge Tragic accidents and sudden disaster Heroic deeds motivated by quest for

honor Jealous sweethearts / unrequited love

Folk ballads - definition

English and Scottish Authors unknown Many versions

Told from Memory Passed down from generation to

generation Collected and published during 18th

Century

Folk Ballads – general info

Dramatization of a single incident Begins in the middle of action No background info

Little reflection or expression of sentiment What happened No feelings

Dialogue or questions and answers that further the story Told through speech rather than first-person

Folk Ballads - characteristics

A strong, simple beat / easy rhyme scheme Repetition of key word, line, or phrase Adds to musical quality

Use of the refrain Regularly repeated line at end of stanza Allows listeners to join and singers to

remember verses Suggest rather than directly state

Folk wisdom

Folk Ballads – characteristics cont.

Actual events Shipwrecks, murders, accidental deaths Could make headlines today.

Folk Ballads – characteristics cont.

One of the best-known ballads Story of sailors on an ill-fated voyage May be based on actual events

Partner chat!! – Do you think Sir Patrick did the right thing? Give reasons for your answer, using details from the ballad.

“Sir Patrick Spens”

“Bonny Barbara Allan” tells a familiar and tragic story of disappointment in love.

Partner chat!! Do you think the ballad would be more effective if the writer had included the character’s thoughts and emotions? Explain why or why not.

“Bonny Barbara Allan”

A comic ballad about married life – a favorite target of medieval humor.

Partner Chat!!! To what aspect of human nature does this ballad point?

“Get Up and Bar the Door”

Title: Ballad in My Own Words Each ballad tells a story. Choose one

of the ballads we read and rewrite it as a short story.

SHARE!!!

Journal Assignment