Ballad

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A ballad is a type of poem or song that tells a story. It was originally passed down by word of mouth and was popular in folk traditions before being written down. Ballads are usually about love, adventure, tragedy, or mysterious events.

Main Features of a Ballad:

  1. Storytelling – A ballad tells a simple but dramatic story.
  2. Easy Language – Uses simple words so people can remember and repeat it.
  3. Refrain (Repetition) – Some lines or phrases are repeated, making it sound musical.
  4. Four-Line Stanzas – Usually written in quatrains (four-line verses) with a rhyming pattern (like ABCB or AABB).
  5. Dialogue and Action – Characters speak, and events happen quickly.
  6. Supernatural or Tragic Themes – Many ballads talk about ghosts, magic, or sad love stories.

Types of Ballads:

  • Folk Ballads – Old, anonymous ballads passed down through singing. (Example: "Sir Patrick Spens")
  • Literary Ballads – Ballads written by known poets, often inspired by folk ballads. (Example: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

Famous Examples:

  • "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" – A long ballad about a cursed sailor.
  • "La Belle Dame sans Merci" – A mysterious ballad about a knight and a fairy woman.
  • "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" – A sad ballad about a prisoner’s life.

Ballads are still popular today, even in songs! Many folk, country, and pop songs follow the ballad style.



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