The form of Ballad

 What is ballad?

Origin and history:  Ballads derive from the medieval French chanson balladée or ballade, which were originally "dance songs". 

Definition: 'A simple, spirited poem in short stanzas, narrating some popular story.'  (Oxford Dictionary) 

Characteristics of ballad: 

 

1) It is narrative poem: it tells a story: It is narrative kind of poetry in which we can able to find out the different story about different subjects like 'Hugh of Lincoln', 'Edom o' Gordon, etc. 

2) It has some certain subjects which appear over and over again: The most popular subjects are those old favourites, sex and violence, supernatural ghosts, magic, witchcraft, superstition, the real historical character, etc. 

3) It is very simple poem in short stanzas: This kind of poetry is very simple which written in some short stanzas and the words are also very simple. 

4) It is sing-able: It is an important one that person can sing it well. In the old time there were no written ballad but it was passing from person to person by word of mouth. One can enjoy it by singing. 

5) It has charm of natural simplicity: It is very simple poem and that simplicity gives us charm. It is very natural kind of poems. 

6) Universal appeal: Every single ballad touches upon a specific subjects, which bears universal significance. It's not simply restricted to his personality or his country, rather; it deals with the whole humanity. John Keats's ballad 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' convinces the readers that most of the women are perfidious and double-crossing. 

7) No Extra Details: There are no extra details about the surroundings, atmosphere or environment. The poems starts suddenly and the reader has to visualise the setting himself through the word of the poet. Thus ballads lack in superfluous details.