1. Ballad Stuff English IV

2. Historical Terms Middle ages– Roughly 1100 AD—1450 AD Middle ages– Roughly 1100 AD—1450 AD Feudal system-- A system of managing government Feudal system-- A system of managing government the king owned all or most of the land—gave it to the men who fought for him the king owned all or most of the land—gave it to the men who fought for him The nobles in turn held land The nobles in turn held land peasants, including serfs, were allowed to farm in return for the peasants' labor and a portion of their produce. peasants, including serfs, were allowed to farm in return for the peasants' labor and a portion of their produce.

3. Types of Medieval Entertainment Miracle Play- -a medieval play dealing with religious subjects such as Biblical stories or saints' lives Miracle Play- -a medieval play dealing with religious subjects such as Biblical stories or saints' lives Morality Play – VERY allegorical plays employing such personified abstractions as Virtue, Vice, Greed, Gluttony, etc. Morality Play – VERY allegorical plays employing such personified abstractions as Virtue, Vice, Greed, Gluttony, etc. Drunkenly singing ballads—this pastime is considerably less religious in nature! Drunkenly singing ballads—this pastime is considerably less religious in nature!

4. Medieval Ballads Ballad—simply put, a BALLAD is a simple narrative poem of folk origin, composed in short stanzas and adapted for singing or any poem written in similar style. –source: Merriam Webster Dictionary Ballad—simply put, a BALLAD is a simple narrative poem of folk origin, composed in short stanzas and adapted for singing or any poem written in similar style. –source: Merriam Webster Dictionary A song that tells a story… A song that tells a story… Modern examples? Modern examples?

5. Modern Ballads—listen to 3 Eminem “Stan” Eminem “Stan” Marvin Gaye: “Inner City Blues: Make me Wanna Holler” Marvin Gaye: “Inner City Blues: Make me Wanna Holler” Jimi Hendrix “Hey Joe” Jimi Hendrix “Hey Joe” Discuss the three Discuss the three

6. 4 Characteristics FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE “TYPICAL” BALLAD FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE “TYPICAL” BALLAD Normally a short narrative arranged into four line stanzas with a memorable meter—sing-songy Normally a short narrative arranged into four line stanzas with a memorable meter—sing-songy “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now am found Was blind but now I see.” ballad meter—First and Third lines written in Iambic Tetrameter—the Second and Fourth lines are written in Iambic Trimeter ballad meter—First and Third lines written in Iambic Tetrameter—the Second and Fourth lines are written in Iambic Trimeter

7. In other words… The first and third lines of the stanza have 8 syllables per line A- maz- ing Grace how sweet the sound A- maz- ing Grace how sweet the sound 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The second and fourth line have six syllables per line That saved a wretch like me That saved a wretch like me 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

8. Why is this important? It gives it a beat It gives it a beat Enough said. Enough said.

9. 4 Characteristics continued… The rhyme scheme is typically abab or abcb. The rhyme scheme is typically abab or abcb. ABAB Rhyme scheme ABAB Rhyme scheme The hoagie is a tasty food A The hoagie is a tasty food A I eat one every day B I eat one every day B I eat them when I’m in the mood A Then go outside to play B Then go outside to play B ABCB Rhyme scheme ABCB Rhyme scheme I had a hoagie for my lunch A I had a hoagie for my lunch A I took it from my sack B I took it from my sack B I ate it down too quickly and C I had a heart attack. B

10. Colloquial language Use of colloquial language—the language of the common folk Use of colloquial language—the language of the common folk Examples: “What’s up?” Examples: “What’s up?” What is this question actually asking? What is this question actually asking? “You’re drawin” or “You’re trippin” Does the asker of this question wish to state that I am currently creating a work of art? Or falling down?

11. What to look for When reading these ballads it is important to When reading these ballads it is important to Understand the dialogue Understand the dialogue Many ballads rely on dialogue rather than narration Many ballads rely on dialogue rather than narration Study the notes Study the notes this can help with colloquialisms this can help with colloquialisms Summarize the plot Summarize the plot Most ballads tend to be tragic—death by accident, murder, or suicide Most ballads tend to be tragic—death by accident, murder, or suicide Background info is minimal Background info is minimal

12. Ballads Note the symbolism Note the symbolism Let the repetition have its effect—Incremental repetition, or the repetition in succeeding stanzas of lines containing some small addition, or increment, is used to build to a climax. Let the repetition have its effect—Incremental repetition, or the repetition in succeeding stanzas of lines containing some small addition, or increment, is used to build to a climax. READ “Lord Randal” and other ballads on page 85 of Purple Book READ “Lord Randal” and other ballads on page 85 of Purple Book Listen to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Barbara Allan” Listen to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Barbara Allan”

13. Three major types of ballads Folk Ballad--a song that is traditionally sung by the common people of a region and forms part of their culture—created and sung by the common folk Folk Ballad--a song that is traditionally sung by the common people of a region and forms part of their culture—created and sung by the common folk Minstrel Ballad— sung by the professional entertainers. Minstrel Ballad— sung by the professional entertainers. Coronach --a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person—usually formal Coronach --a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person—usually formal

14. An original ballad Fazzini is the king of books,--A His thinking skills are great.--B All those who try to match his might-C Succumb to awful fate.--B The books he reads are difficult --Tetrameter They stump him not a bit. --Trimeter And in the gym, you can’t touch him--Tetrameter His strength is infinite.--Trimeter In lifts of bench or squat or press He makes the iron snap He has no flaws, so give applause Now everyone should clap.

15. Your ballad assignment Your ballads will be between 6-10 stanzas (24-40 lines) Your ballads will be between 6-10 stanzas (24-40 lines) They will focus on one of the types of ballads I taught in the notes They will focus on one of the types of ballads I taught in the notes How I would do it How I would do it Step 1-think of the story you wanted to tell and write it out in one paragraph Step 1-think of the story you wanted to tell and write it out in one paragraph Step 2—Versify it—put it into the meter and rhyme scheme Step 2—Versify it—put it into the meter and rhyme scheme Step 3—after you’ve written it out, type it up. Step 3—after you’ve written it out, type it up. You can not ask me any questions until you have written at least two stanzas. You can not ask me any questions until you have written at least two stanzas.