Ballad in literature is a special genre characterized by a clear plot, small volume and dramatic development of the narrative. Very often, a historical canvas is used in ballads to express the main message of the author. This is due to the fact that this genre comes from folk tales and legends. Lermontov’s ballads are short and capacious, they instantly transfer the reader to the described time and encourage deep empathy with the heroes.
Attempt at writing
At the age of 15, young Lermontov translates Schiller's ballad from German. So far this is just a kind of training. But even in this translation, the author’s original style is already traced. He does not seek, first of all, to thoroughly convey the original, on the contrary, sets it out as if in his interpretation, shifting the emphasis from lengthy and detailed descriptions of what is happening to the internal conflict, to the feelings of the heroes. Exactly so - lively and dramatic - sounds in his presentation of the ballad "The Glove." Lermontov will subsequently take only the plot of the works, presenting his own vision of situations, and not just imitating one of the authors.
This is what the young poet does, working on his own Ballad in the same year. He takes the plot of Schiller's works “The Plunger” and “The Glove” and combines them. Like other Lermontov ballads, this one is short and capacious. He cuts off all unnecessary. If Schiller pays great attention to the description of the surging waves and pictures of the underwater world, then Lermontov indicates a struggle with the elements through a description of the state of the hero.
Folk motives
A little later, the poet turns to the national heritage. Lermontov’s ballads “Reed” and “Where is it so agile, the young Jew? ..” are built according to the precise scheme used in ancient legends. First comes love, then betrayal (or alternatively, love is rejected), this is followed by all-consuming jealousy, and it ends with murder.
It is significant that here Lermontov, masterfully wielding a rhyme, does not drown his genius in verbosity, but with a few confident and accurate strokes creates a finished picture in which many details, however, remain as if overs. 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 on allegories. In other words, the author presents abstract concepts or even certain historical figures using specific physical objects. For example, in the ballad "Spore" he refers to the image of the mountains, which he loved. And “Two Giants” represent the clash of Napoleon and Emperor Alexander the First.
There is nothing new in using the technique of animating natural objects and phenomena. In some cases, this helps the author to convey his thoughts beautifully, while in others it is used because of the inability to express oneself directly because of the political situation in the country. For Lermontov, both statements were true.
Mythological images
The poet was interested not only in the folk epic, but also in mythology. Some later ballads have a construction characteristic of the plot development of myths. And here the author takes not just beaten situations or already known characters. No, he refers precisely to the inner core, to the fundamental laws of the genre by which the narrative is built.
For example, the ballad of M. Yu. Lermontov “Tamara” begins with a classic description of how the hero encounters something unknown and alluring. A traveler, walking along the river at night, sees a tower from which one can hear a calling passionate female voice. Responding to him and spending the night with
Queen Tamara, the man pays for this hospitality with his life. In the morning, his lifeless body is carried away by the fast mountain
river Terek.