Key Features of a Literary Ballad:
* Written by a known author: Unlike folk ballads which were passed down orally for generations, literary ballads are composed by specific individuals.
* Focus on art and craft: Literary ballads are more concerned with artistic expression and technical skill than with oral tradition. They often feature sophisticated language, imagery, and poetic devices.
* Elevated style: While folk ballads often use simple language and straightforward storytelling, literary ballads often employ a more elevated and poetic style.
* Themes and subject matter: Literary ballads explore a wide range of themes, including love, loss, revenge, heroism, and the supernatural. They may be inspired by historical events, folklore, or the author's imagination.
* Structure and form: Literary ballads typically follow a specific form, often with a regular rhyme scheme (usually ABCB) and a consistent meter (often iambic tetrameter, four beats per line).
* Narrative focus: The primary purpose of a literary ballad is to tell a story, often through a series of dramatic events or scenes.
Notable Examples of Literary Ballads:
* "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: A classic example of a literary ballad, this poem tells the tale of a mariner cursed for killing an albatross.
* "La Belle Dame sans Merci" by John Keats: A haunting ballad about a knight who is lured to his doom by a beautiful but deadly woman.
* "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" by Oscar Wilde: A powerful poem about the brutality of the prison system, based on Wilde's own experience in Reading Gaol.
* "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe: This poem tells the story of a grieving man who is haunted by a raven that keeps repeating the word "Nevermore."
Distinguishing Literary Ballads from Folk Ballads:
* Authorship: Folk ballads are anonymous, while literary ballads have known authors.
* Purpose: Folk ballads were created for oral transmission and entertainment, while literary ballads are intended for publication and artistic expression.
* Style: Folk ballads often use simple language and straightforward storytelling, while literary ballads employ more sophisticated language and poetic devices.
In Summary:
Literary ballads are a fascinating blend of storytelling and poetic artistry. They offer a rich tapestry of human experiences, emotions, and themes, often with a focus on drama, adventure, and the supernatural.