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Medieval Ballads

Poetry of the People. Medieval Ballads. Ballad – derived from old French word meaning “dancing song” Originally composed in 15 th century Oral art passed from singer to singer Minstrels – court singers Troubadours – traveling singers Not written down until about 300 years later.

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Medieval Ballads

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  1. Poetry of the People Medieval Ballads

  2. Ballad – derived from old French word meaning “dancing song” • Originally composed in 15th century • Oral art passed from singer to singer • Minstrels – court singers • Troubadours – traveling singers • Not written down until about 300 years later Background

  3. Domestic tragedy False love True love The absurdity of husband wife relationships Supernatural events Sensational, sordid, or tragic subject matter Common Subject Matter

  4. Strong beat Refrain Repetition Omission of details Question and answer format Conventional phrases Style Characteristics

  5. Strong beat though not necessarily strictly structured • O where have you been, Lord Randall, my son? • My hand is in my hussyfskap / Goodman, as you may see • Later, when “literary ballads” were written the rhyme scheme & meter were more regimented – (abcb); alternating iambic tetrameter and trimeter Strong Beat

  6. Word, phrase line, or group of lines repeated at regular intervals • Contributed to the song’s rhythm • Reinforced theme • Allowed singer time to think of next verse • Ex: “For I’m weary with hunting and fain would lie down.” –Lord Randall (last line of every stanza Refrain

  7. Phrase or sentence repeated with new element added each time until the climax is reached • Suspense • Various versions of the line “get up and bar the door” – Who will bar the door? What will happen? Incremental Repetition

  8. Adds mystery and suspense “Lord Randall” • Did Lord Randall’s love kill him? • If so, why? “Edward, Edward” • What did Edward’s mother do to lead him astray? • What did Edward’s father do that was so bad? Omission of Details

  9. Facts of the story are gleaned little by little from the answers to the questions posed Suspense “Edward, Edward” Why is your sword bloody? What punishment will you bear? What will you leave to your children? What will you leave to your mother? “Lord Randall” Where have you been? Where did you eat? What did you eat? Where are your dogs? Question and Answer Format

  10. Understood by listeners to have meaning beyond their literal ones “Make my bed soon.” = “I’m about to die.” Conventional Phrases

  11. Write an original ballad REQUIRED: • Four line stanzas • Strong, simple beat • Tragic subject matter • Narrative (brief story) Use at least THREE: • Supernatural events • Refrain • Question/answer format • Conventional phrases • Incremental repetition Extra Credit: Performance of ballad – Like we did with the bird poems last year, the performance must show preparation and creativity in order to receive extra credit.

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