9.2.1 Narratives And Ballads

A ballad is a type of poem that tells a story, typically in short rhyming verses. These poems often have frequent repetitions of words or lines, which helps to create a rhythmic and musical quality. Unlike lengthy and boring poems, ballads are concise and engaging, focusing on narrative elements. They are not a short story with conflict or a novel with chapters, but rather a specific form of poetry that combines storytelling with musicality.

The wandering minstrels gave their news in the form of ballads. Ballads are narrative songs that were traditionally used to tell stories, including news and historical events. They were often performed by minstrels who traveled from place to place, entertaining audiences with their songs. Ballads were a popular way of spreading news in a time when written news sources were limited, making them an effective means of communication for the wandering minstrels.

A quatrain is a four line stanza in poetry. It is a specific form of stanza that consists of four lines, usually with a specific rhyme scheme. Quatrains are commonly used in various types of poetry, including sonnets and ballads. The other options, cubicle, quarter, and corner, do not refer to a four line stanza and are not relevant to the question.

A narrative poem is a type of poem that tells a story and follows a specific structure with a beginning, middle, and end. It often includes some kind of conflict or tension that drives the narrative forward. Unlike other types of poems, a narrative poem aims to convey a story and engage the reader through its plot and characters.

Ballads are meant to be heard through oral performance. Unlike nursery rhymes which are often recited or sung, ballads are traditionally performed by a storyteller or singer. They are meant to be heard and experienced through the spoken word, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the narrative and emotions conveyed by the ballad. Silent reading or watching on television would not capture the essence and intended impact of a ballad, which relies heavily on the oral tradition and the power of storytelling.

The ballad stanza is known for its specific rhyme scheme, which is either abab or abcb. This means that the first and third lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, while the second and fourth lines have a different rhyme. This rhyme scheme helps create a musical and rhythmic quality in ballads, which are narrative poems or songs that often tell a story.

Tetrameter is the correct answer because it refers to a line of four pairs of syllables. The prefix "tetra-" means four, and "meter" refers to a unit of rhythm or measurement in poetry. Therefore, tetrameter indicates that there are four pairs of syllables in the line.

The correct answer is "bards". Wandering minstrels were commonly referred to as bards. Bards were known for their musical and storytelling abilities, traveling from place to place to entertain and share their art with others. They played various instruments and sang songs, often accompanied by their own poetry. Bards were an important part of medieval culture, preserving and spreading stories, legends, and historical events through their performances.

The term "trimeter" refers to a line of poetry that consists of three metrical feet, with each foot containing two syllables. Therefore, a trimeter line would have a total of six syllables.