Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles d'Orléans' poem "Ballad" pleads for peace in a society embroiled in war and discord, utilizing a tapestry of religious and social motifs. Written in an archaic form, the poem is steeped in the feudal system of the Middle Ages and echoes the period's strong Christian beliefs.

The poem opens with an appeal to the "sweet mayde Marie," imploring her to act as the intercessor for peace. The invocation of the Virgin Mary carries religious weight, acknowledging her role as the "High Queene of Heaven and world's mistrésse." This exalted position makes her the ideal mediator between humanity and the divine, specifically her "Sonne," Jesus Christ, who is invoked as the one who ransomed humanity through his suffering.

The use of the phrase "wayward people" is potent, highlighting the collective moral and spiritual degeneracy leading to war. For Charles, the war is not just a social or political event; it is a symptom of human failure to adhere to divine law and wisdom.

The following stanzas enlist various societal groups to join the prayer for peace, emphasizing how war detrimentally affects all layers of society. Priests and friars, the scholarly and the devout, are called to abandon their inertia and pray. The imagery of "ruined shrine" and "missal" underscores the spiritual void that war creates, even hindering scholarly pursuits. In war, sacred places lie in ruins; religious practices and studies are abandoned.

Similarly, nobility, including "Kynges, Dukes, Earls," are also entreated to pray for peace. Charles warns that war erodes wealth and social order, allowing "churls" to gain ground over nobility. In medieval society, churls were considered the lowest of the low, and the idea that they could outdo the nobility presents a dire scenario, urging the upper classes to reconsider their priorities.

Commoners and merchants are not spared from the plea. They are told to pray for peace since they are the ones who suffer most under the "tyrannie" of inept leaders. The depiction of merchants "a-straddle on your steede" being unable to conduct their trade serves to emphasize how war disrupts all forms of societal function.

The final stanza culminates with a universal appeal to God, who alone can "amend ill deede." The poem hence employs a comprehensive approach, highlighting the interconnectedness of society and its shared responsibility to pray for peace.

In essence, Charles d'Orléans' "Ballad" serves as a fervent prayer and a moral critique of a society torn asunder by war. It appeals to the consciences of all-from the highest echelons of religious and secular power to the common folk, urging a collective turn towards the divine for salvation. It is not merely a call for peace but a call for spiritual and moral reform. The poem thus transcends its immediate historical context to resonate with any epoch where war and strife prevail. It remains a compelling appeal for peace, harmonizing religious fervor with societal critique.

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