Some literary genres have similar qualities, but each of them retains its originality. This is very confusing for people who are not experts in this industry, so we decided to shed light on one of the much talked about questions about how a ballad differs from a poem.
Introduction
Before we highlight the similarities and differences between these two genres, let's review their history. The fact is that both the poem and the ballad originated in the Middle Ages, during a period when all types of creativity were tightly intertwined with each other. In this case, the poem and music came together into one whole. Indeed, at first, no one knew the existence of the poem. The differences could lie in the features of the text (rhyme or lack thereof) and in the genre of the work. People didn’t call such compositions anything, they simply invented them and performed them, often without even writing them down on paper. With the advent of the Renaissance, literature and music began to separate from each other, and genres began to emerge within each of these branches. It was then that the trivial question arose about how a ballad differs from a poem.
Ballad
This term today relates to both literature and music. The ballad can be found in a book and read without hearing a single note. Or you can find it in music archives and perform it on one of the instruments. To give an accurate interpretation of this term, you should consult the following dictionaries:
- The ballad is a lyric-epic genre that was formed in the British Isles in the period from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
- In Medieval France, the word “ballad” appeared in the 13th century. These were some kind of text-musical or simply poetic forms that were the personification of Provencal poetry.
- The final interpretation of the term “ballad” was formed in the 19th century in Europe. It has been defined as a musical and poetic genre that tells one story after another.
Going back to the roots
Before we determine the main difference between a ballad and a poem, it is worth carefully studying the history of at least one of them. So, as mentioned above, the birthplace of the ballad is France, the Provence region. In the Middle Ages, the genre was characterized by a poetic and musical form with an epic flavor. The French performed ballads in one voice and the soloist accompanied himself. When the Norman conquerors found themselves in England, creativity migrated there with them. The epic character of the ballad was preserved, but new features appeared. Such works could describe biographies (Robin Hood) and even military campaigns. In the end, the whole world, including Russia, learned about the ballad. Composers began to write appropriate music, and writers began to write epic stories.
Poem
This genre can rightfully be called poetic. Initially, poems were written exclusively in verse, and could be romantic or satirical, epic or critical. During the period of Enlightenment, people knew exactly how a ballad differs from a poem; moreover, each of these genres was performed for a specific audience. Aristocrats preferred cutesy and restrained poems written by famous and honorable authors. They could be read or dried in theaters. The ballad was the property of less affluent sections of the population. They often glorified the hard everyday life of the serfs or memories of the past exploits of heroic ancestors.
Let's sum it up
So, how does a ballad differ from a poem:
- The ballad is a small musical and literary work. The author (if there is one) mainly conveys to the reader his thoughts and feelings about what is happening. Ballads are often identified as folklore creations.
- But a poem is a large literary form that is written by a specific author. It always clearly reveals the characters and places of action. The poem primarily examines global issues, and the experiences of the author and the characters are in the background.
Hello Dmitry!
Before we summarize the main differences between a poem and a ballad, let's understand a little about these concepts!
Ballad
Ballad is a musicological and literary term divided into:
- lyric-epic genre, formed in England and Scotland in the XIV-XVI centuries;
- text-musical and poetic form that originated during the Middle Ages. The ballads of the time represented French Provençal poetry from the 13th century onwards;
- a musical and poetic genre that became incredibly popular throughout Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries.
A short excursion into the past
Originating in France in the Middle Ages, the ballad immediately gained popularity. At that time, this genre was characterized by a text-musical form with a bright epic coloring. Ballads were sung in one voice. A colossal contribution to the development of the genre was left by Guillaume de Machaut, who lived in France in the 14th century and wrote over 200 polyphonic ballads, of which about 40 were set to music. Also during the Middle Ages, Christina of Pisa and Francois Villon made a gigantic contribution to the development of the genre.
It is believed that ballads were brought to England by Norman conquerors in the 14th century. Due to the existing weather conditions, the ballads acquired a certain mystery. They glorified battles, feasts, and the exploits of kings and folk heroes such as Robin Hood. At this time, ballads received an easily recognizable lyric-epic coloring today.
In Germany and the Russian Empire, the ballad gained unprecedented popularity in the 18th century. During this period, the ballad was further transformed into a popular musical and poetic genre, which did not lose its gloomy character and its inherent romanticism. Among the most famous creators of ballads, one can recall such geniuses as Heine, Burger, Uhland, Kamenev, Zhukovsky, Schiller, Southey, Moore and Scott.
Poem
A poem can rightfully be called a poetic genre. It is a work in poetic narrative form. The poem can be performed in critical, heroic, satirical and romantic form. This is a large poetic work of an epic nature, belonging to one author. The poem as a genre appeared much later than the ballad.
There is also such a thing as a prose poem. A prose poem is a literary genre characterized by fragmentation and short duration of action. It is characterized by the presence of plot and pathos. Symmetrical to novels in verse and poems in prose. A striking example of a prose poem is “Dead Souls” by N.V. Gogol.
Comparison of ballad and poem
To summarize, we can outline the main differences and similarities between genres such as poem and ballad. The main similarity is that they belong to the lyric-epic genre and are poetic works. This is probably where the similarities end.
Differences:
- A ballad, unlike a poem, is a small poem with a storyline. The author pursues the goal of conveying his experiences and thoughts in the ballad. Ballads most often have a purely folklore plot.
- A poem, on the contrary, is a large work in poetic form. The poem belongs to lyric-epic poetry and aims to narrate the characteristics of events and characters. By perceiving the lyrical heroes of the poem, the questions asked by the author are revealed to us. Unlike the ballad, the poem touches on deeper and larger issues.
Hope I helped you!
Best regards, Valery.
People, feeling the need to express their experiences, talk about feelings or events, create works of different nature. These are, for example, a song and a ballad. Both of them carry a certain content. However, not everyone knows the difference between a ballad and a song. Let's try to shed light on this issue.
Definition
Ballad- a work that is a rhymed story of a historical, heroic or everyday nature, often with mythological content. In the literature of the Middle Ages, this name initially meant a round dance song (ballare - “to dance”). Gradually, the ballad was modified and, finally, appeared as a plot poem, which contains a certain life episode.
Song- a form of musical and poetic creativity. The song contains lyrics and a melody that goes along with it. As a rule, a specific song can be correlated with one of the genres, of which there are many: rock, chanson, romance, rap... Folk song is undoubtedly considered the oldest. Only a little of what was put together by people many years ago has survived to this day.
Comparison
Now let’s take a closer look at the difference between a ballad and a song.
A song can be called anything that can be voiced, provided that it contains words and melody. The song does not necessarily contain a logical story. It may include an appeal to some character (ritual songs), an exhortation (lullabies), or a description of something.
A ballad is in most cases a plot: about the feat of a knight, the invasion of enemies, someone’s fateful fate. Sometimes the plot is replaced by dialogue. As a rule, a ballad contains some kind of conflict. The beneficial effect of such a work is that the tragic dispute depicted in it, often between life and death, contributes to a better understanding of the meaning of existence.
Musical component
A ballad is not always a piece of music. It can only apply to literary creativity. V. Zhukovsky is recognized as one of the famous Russian ballad authors. However, for composers, the text of a ballad was often excellent material for writing music for it. Moreover, the musicians tried to use rhythm and other nuances to depict what the plot was about. For example, in the ballad “The Forest King” (F. Schubert) you can hear the rhythm of a horse race. Ballads are often performed to the accompaniment of a musical instrument.
In a song, the melody becomes an integral part. A song is perceived best if the music and words fit perfectly together. The songs that are most loved and remembered best are those that are not too complex. This work of creativity is closely related to the emotional aspect. The listener often gets into the song with his soul.
Sphere of feelings
What is the difference between a ballad and a song when compared in terms of what feelings they convey? The song is limitless in this regard. It can be lyrical and humorous, inviting and filled with nostalgia, patriotic and festive. If we talk about a ballad, the sphere of feelings into which it immerses is significantly narrowed. The atmosphere of such a work is romanticism and sentimentalism. The ballad attracts the motive of mystery, the bewitching world of traditions and legends. It often describes an unusual landscape and a charming setting.