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MEDIEVAL LITERATURE

Pietro Saba

Created on October 15, 2025

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Transcript

MEDIEVAL LITERATURE

BALLADS AND POEMS

BALLADS

Trsansmitted orally and sung in different places and times, they were only published by Bishop Thomas Percy in his famous Reliques of Ancient English Poetry in 1765.

  • Arranged into 4-line stanzas;
  • Rhyme is ABCB or ABAB;
  • Frequent Repetitions of words but especially refrains;
  • Mixture of dialogue and narration;
  • Rapid flashes;
  • Beginning of the story is usually a dramatic event;
  • Ordinary people (possible real and supernatural characters);
  • Simple language.

THEMES

  • MAGIC BALLADS (FAIRIES, GHOSTS AND WITCHCRAFT)
  • BORDER BALLADS (RIVALRY BETWEEN ENGLISH AND SCOTLAND)
  • LOVE AND TRADGEDY BALLADS
  • BALLADS OF OUTLAWS (REBELLION)

THE MEDIEVAL NARRATIVE POEM

AIM OF ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTING:

STORY IN VERSE WITH NARRATIVE ELEMENTS SUCH AS:

INSIGHT INTO:

  • SETTING IN TIME AND PLACE
  • DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERS
  • USE OF A NARRATOR (OFTEN IN 1ST PERSON)
  • LIFESTYLES
  • PSYCHOLOGY
  • EXPERIENCE OF CHARACTERS
  • MORAL VIEWS OF THE TIME
  • SOCIAL STRUCTURE