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A Collection of Ballads
"A Collection of Ballads" by Andrew Lang is a comprehensive anthology of traditional ballads, edited with a scholarly introduction and notes, first published in the late 19th century. The collection includes a wide range of ballads that reflect historical themes, romantic tales, and folk traditions, showcasing the rich tapestry of narrative poetry from various cultures, particularly those of Scotland and England. The opening of the collection presents an introduction that discusses the history and evolution of ballads, exploring their origins as spontaneous poetic expressions among various cultures. It highlights the significance of these ballads as reflections of societal values, beliefs, and historical events. This preliminary section sets the stage for the subsequent ballads, which include tales of adventure, love, and tragedy, such as the story of Sir Patrick Spens and the Battle of Otterbourne, each rich in imagery and emotion, inviting readers into a world where history and myth intertwine.
Level C1 pagesEnglish
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Categories: British Literature Mythology, Legends & Folklore Poetry
Suggested age: 13+ (AI estimate)
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About this book
"A Collection of Ballads" by Andrew Lang is a comprehensive anthology of traditional ballads, edited with a scholarly introduction and notes, first published in the late 19th century. The collection includes a wide range of ballads that reflect historical themes, romantic tales, and folk traditions, showcasing the rich tapestry of narrative poetry from various cultures, particularly those of Scotland and England. The opening of the collection presents an introduction that discusses the history and evolution of ballads, exploring their origins as spontaneous poetic expressions among various cultures. It highlights the significance of these ballads as reflections of societal values, beliefs, and historical events. This preliminary section sets the stage for the subsequent ballads, which include tales of adventure, love, and tragedy, such as the story of Sir Patrick Spens and the Battle of Otterbourne, each rich in imagery and emotion, inviting readers into a world where history and myth intertwine.
Reading guidance
Level C1Language difficulty is an AI estimate based on sampled text.
Reader and content guidance is an AI estimate based on the title, author, source summary, contents and selected excerpts. Unseen portions have not been assessed.
Recommended age: 13+ (AI estimate)
Minimum 13 for independent enjoyment: seduction, abandonment and an unwed mother require maturity, and archaic Scots demands reading stamina. Younger readers could enjoy selected Robin Hood ballads with adult support and glossing. Based on named-book metadata and selected excerpts; unseen text was not assessed. This is guidance, not an official age rating; individual reading ability varies.
Source: Project Gutenberg · Public domain in the USA.
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