1. A Literal Song:
* This is the most straightforward meaning. The text includes lyrics, often with musical notation or indications for melody.
* Examples:
* The songs in Shakespeare's plays, like "Greensleeves" in *Twelfth Night*.
* The lyrics of a song in a novel, like the "Ballad of the Harp Weaver" in *The Ballad of the Harp Weaver* by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
2. A Poetic Song:
* This refers to a poem that has the characteristics of a song, even if it's not intended to be sung literally.
* It usually features:
* Lyrical language: Figurative language, rhythm, and rhyme.
* A clear narrative: Tells a story or expresses a theme.
* Emotional resonance: Evokes feelings in the reader.
* Examples:
* "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe.
* "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats.
3. A Figurative Song:
* This is when a song is used metaphorically to represent something else.
* Examples:
* A character's "inner song" could represent their hopes, dreams, or anxieties.
* A tragic event could be described as a "song of sorrow."
4. A Song as a Plot Device:
* A song can be used to advance the plot or reveal information.
* Examples:
* A character's song could foreshadow an event.
* A song could provide clues to the identity of a murderer.
In summary, a song in literature can be a literal musical piece, a poetic form, a metaphor, or a plot device. The specific meaning depends on the context of the work.