Definition of Traditional Ballads
Ballads have strong associations with childhood: much of children's poetry comes in ballad form, and English poets traditionally associated ballads with their national childhood as well. Ballads emphasize strong rhythms, repetition of key phrases, and rhymes; if you hear a traditional ballad, you will know that you are hearing a poem. Ballads are meant to be song-like and to remind readers of oral poetry--of parents singing to children, for instance, or of ancient poets reciting their verse to a live audience. (A side note: contemporary music terminology also uses the term "ballad." In that context, the word describes a genre of "slow songs" in jazz or rock music.
The modern definition of the ballad was captured, and largely defined, late in the nineteenth century, by the work of Francis James Child. Child describes the ballad as:
"...a song that tells a story, or - to take the other point of view -- a story told in song. More formally...a short poem, adapted for singing, simple in plot and metrical structure, divided into stanzas, and characterized by complete impersonality so far as the author or singer is concerned."
The modern definition of the ballad was captured, and largely defined, late in the nineteenth century, by the work of Francis James Child. Child describes the ballad as:
"...a song that tells a story, or - to take the other point of view -- a story told in song. More formally...a short poem, adapted for singing, simple in plot and metrical structure, divided into stanzas, and characterized by complete impersonality so far as the author or singer is concerned."
Characteristics of Medieval Ballads
Here are some typical characteristics:
Plot:
• a single episode of a highly dramatic event is presented
• the supernatural is likely to play an important part
• the incidents are usually happen to common people (as opposed to nobility)
• physical courage and love are frequent themes
Structure:
• incremental repetition is common
• transitions are abrupt
Narration:
• Very little characterization or description of setting
Dialogue:
• action is largely developed through dialogue with little clue as to who is speaking
Language:
• tragic situations and sudden disasters are presented with simplicity using plain, simple language
Plot:
• a single episode of a highly dramatic event is presented
• the supernatural is likely to play an important part
• the incidents are usually happen to common people (as opposed to nobility)
• physical courage and love are frequent themes
Structure:
• incremental repetition is common
• transitions are abrupt
Narration:
• Very little characterization or description of setting
Dialogue:
• action is largely developed through dialogue with little clue as to who is speaking
Language:
• tragic situations and sudden disasters are presented with simplicity using plain, simple language