Although many medieval ballads depict male-female relationships, the ballads Edward, Bonny Barbara Allen, and Mattie Groves stand out due to their unconventional dynamics between men and women.
The male-female relationships found in the three ballads have several similarities:
1) A perpetual conflict exists between the male and female.
2) The relationships mentioned in the text do not reflect the ideal male-female relationship or marriage.
Despite focusing on a mother and son, the male-female relationship in the ballad Edward is just as complex as those in other ballads. Edward and his mother have a strained and tumultuous relationship, as evidenced by their conversations and interactions. Edward’s tension towards his mother is evident in his response to her question “why is your sword so stained with blood?” Rather than telling her the truth, Edward initially hesitates and lies by claiming the blood is from a bird. He then changes his story, attributing it to his horse. Ultimately, overwhelmed by guilt, Edward confesses to his mother that he is responsible for his father’s death (line 21).
Despite implanting the concept of patricide in Edward’s thoughts, his mother fails to offer compassion or guidance. Rather, she inundates him with inquiries regarding his reparation plans. These interrogations provoke Edward, demonstrating that despite originating the scheme to kill his father, his mother still wields power over their bond by manipulating him. There exists a dearth of respect from both parties, culminating in an imperfect rapport between them. This becomes particularly evident when Edward’s mother queries what he will leave behind for her as he absconds their nation to safeguard his own welfare.
Edward’s response to the question about his advice is to curse them from hell. His troubled relationship with his mother influences how he treats other women, including his wife. When asked what he will leave behind for his family, Edward dismissively says nothing because they can fend for themselves in the big world. The ballad Bonny Barbara Allan illustrates a dysfunctional relationship between a man and a woman, where both parties are stubborn and demanding. Sir John Graeme and Barbara Allan demonstrate their stubbornness throughout their relationship, although Sir Graeme is somewhat less headstrong due to his impending death. Conversely, Barbara Allan refuses to accept that Sir Graeme is dying for her love, showcasing her own stubbornness.
Barbara Allan is still angry with Sir Graeme because he offended her at a tavern. Despite their differences, their relationship is the most representative of a typical man-woman dynamic among the three ballads. Although Barbara does not openly express her love for Sir Graeme, he still asks his friends to treat her kindly. Despite the past offense, Barbara says to her mother that her coffin should be prepared because her love died for her today, and she will die for him tomorrow.
These actions demonstrate the respect and possibly love between both individuals, despite their hesitance in expressing their feelings for each other. Out of the three relationships discussed, the one between Lord Arlen and his wife in the ballad “Mattie Groves” is the least resembling an ideal male-female relationship due to the significant amount of deceit and male dominance present. Lord Arlen’s wife engages in deception by having a physical relationship with Mattie Groves, despite being married. Additionally, she assures Mattie Groves that Lord Arlen will not discover their affair and promises to keep him hidden (line 22). Lord Arlen’s behavior and words depict a patriarchal nature in his relationship with his wife, as he views her as his possession rather than an equal individual.
The husband consistently makes decisions for his wife, which is not always appreciated by her (lines 70-75). Although none of the mentioned ballads depict ideal male-female relationships, they effectively showcase the arguments of both parties. This enables the reader to better understand the dynamics of a relationship and recognize the values of that era. No bibliography is provided except for the sources of these ballads.
