Ballads Lermontov: examples and artistic techniques

Ballad in literature is a special genre, forwhich is characterized by a clear plot, a small volume and dramatic development of the narrative. Very often ballads use historical canvas to express the author's main message. This is due to the fact that this genre comes from folk legends and legends. Lermontov's ballads are short and capacious, they instantly transfer the reader to the described time and encourage deep empathy for the characters.

Attempt at writing

At the age of 15, the young Lermontov translatesGerman ballad of Schiller. So far this is just a kind of training. But even in this translation the original style of the author can already be traced. He does not aspire first of all to thoroughly convey the original, on the contrary, he expounds it in his interpretation, moving the accents from the lengthy and detailed descriptions of what is happening to the inner conflict, to the feelings of the heroes. That's how it is - vividly and dramatically - the ballad "Glove" sounds in his presentation. Lermontov and subsequently will take only the plot of the works, presenting his own vision of situations, and not just imitating someone from the authors.

So does a young poet, working onhis own "Ballad" in the same year. He takes the plot of Schiller's works "The Diver" and "Glove" and unites them. Like other Lermontov ballads, this one is short and capacious. He cuts off all unnecessary. If Schiller pays much attention to describing the raging waves and pictures of the underwater world, Lermontov points to the struggle with the elements through the description of the hero's condition.

Folk motives

A little later the poet turns to the people'sheritage. Lermontov's ballads "Reed" and "Where is so quick, Zhidovka young? .." are built on a clear pattern, used in the old legends. First comes love, then betrayal (or as an option - love is rejected), followed by all-consuming jealousy, and ends with murder.

It is significant that here and Lermontov, masterfulmanipulating the rhyme, does not sink his genius in verbosity, and with a few confident and accurate strokes creates a complete picture in which many details, however, remain as if behind the scenes. But this does not spoil the work. On the contrary, it makes it even more vivid and memorable.

Using allegories

Lermontov's ballads are often built onallegories. In other words, the author represents abstract concepts or even certain historical personalities, using specific physical objects. For example, in the ballad "Dispute" he refers to the image of mountains, which he loved very much. And "Two Giant" represent the clash between Napoleon and Emperor Alexander the First.

In using the natural animation methodobjects and phenomena is nothing new. In some cases, this helps the author to convey his thought beautifully, while in others it is used because of the inability to express himself directly because of the political situation in the country. Both statements were true for Lermontov.

Mythological images

The poet was interested not only in the folk epic, but also inmythology. Some later ballads have a construction peculiar to the plot development of myths. And then the author takes not just outplayed situations or already well-known characters. No, it refers specifically to the inner core, to the fundamental laws of the genre, on which the narrative is built.

For example, the ballad M. Yu.Lermontov's "Tamara" begins with a classic description of how a hero encounters something unknown and inviting. The traveler, walking at night along the river, sees a tower from which the calling of a passionate female voice is heard. After responding to him and spending the night with Queen Tamara, the man pays for this hospitality with his life. In the morning, his breathless body is carried away by the fast mountain river Terek.