IT’S LITERATURE

p. 98 es. 1
Complete the text with the words listed below.

Lord Randal has returned from hunting in the forest. His mother is waiting for him and sees that there is something wrong, he looks unwell. She questions him and learns where he has been. She suspects that he did not just go hunting but went to meet someone. He reveals that he met his true-love and that she gave him some eels to eat. Then he gave some of the meal to his animals, and they died. The mother concludes that Lord Randal has been poisoned. He agrees and says that not only is he sick but also sick at heart and wants to lie down. The mother is worried about the consequences of his death and wants to know what he will leave to his family. He replies that he will leave twenty milk cows to his mother, gold and silver to his sister, his houses and lands to his brother. When she asks him what his true-love will get, he answers he will leave her hell and fire.

es. 2
Answer the questions.
a. In each stanza underline in different colours
 the mother’s question; (vv. 1-2; 5-6; 9-10; 13-14; 17-18; 25-26; 29-30; 33-34; 37-38)
 Lord Randal’s answer. (vv. 3-4; 7-8; 11-12; 15-16; 19-20; 27-28; 31-32; 35-36; 39-40)
Is the story told in detail or in general terms?
The story is told in detail.
b. Which expressions in the first stanza hint at Lord Randal’s death?
The expressions in the first stanza that suggest Lord Randal's death are “greenwood”, “hunting” and the expression “Oh where ha’ you been...”.
c. The climax of the story is in the only stanza of the poem which does not contain a question. Identify it and explain why it marks an important turning point.
The only stanza of the poem which does not contain a question is the sixth. It marks an important turning point, because Lord Randal realises that he is close to death.
d. The dialogue focuses on two topics. Which stanzas are about:
 Lord Randal’s meeting in the woods?
Stanzas 2-5.
 Lord Randal’s oral testament?
Stanzas 6-10.

es. 3
Lord Randall’s oral testament is very important because of the social class he belongs to.
a. Which words in the text point out his position in medieval society?
The words in the text which point out his position in medieval society are “What d’ye leave to your...”
b. Can you explain why a testament is important in this context?
A testament is an important issue especially when the person who dies is rich and powerful. Sorting out one’s possessions before dying was essential in the context of feudal society, too, as it was necessary to keep an estate intact.

p. 99 es. 4
Is the mother-son dialogue emotional or factual? Can you guess the character’s feelings? Give reasons.
The mother-son dialogue is factual. Lord Randal’s mother looks worried and afraid, because she is very apprehensive; she constantly asks questions to her son. Doing so turns out to be repetitive. Lord Randal, on the other hand, hates his true-love.

es. 5
In the Middle Ages, woods and forests were considered as mysterious, dangerous places, often inhabited by supernatural creatures, wizards and witches. What does this suggest about Lord Randal’s true-love, who lived in the greenwood?
Lord Randal’s true-love, who lived in the greenwood, may have been a witch who charmed the boy.

es. 6
Lord Randal thought that the woman he loved was “true” to him, but she betrayed him. What is the symbol of her false love?
The symbol of her false love is the potion that she put in the food.

es. 7
The table below summarises the typical features of the ballad. How does Lord Randal reflect them? Complete the table with your notes. After filling the chart, give an oral presentation of Lord Randal in no more than 2 minutes.

The ballad form

• sensational, supernatural or tragic subject matter
• universal themes
• abrupt beginning and ending
• lack of details or explanations
• question-and-answer pattern
• short stanzas with a simple rhyme scheme
• use of repetitions to slow down the narration and create suspense
• refrain
• conventional symbols
  

Lord Randal

• a young man who dies in mysterious circumstances, poisoned by the woman he thinks loves him
• destructive power of love, death, inheritance
• the story begins in medias res, with no background information, and ends abruptly. Indeed, we aren’t told what happens after Lord Randal’s dies
• no details are provided about the events, the setting or the characters’. Indeed, we know nothing of why Lord Randal was poisoned and about his love story
• in each quatrain, two lines are the mother's questions and two the son's answers
• ten stanzas with four lines each; the rhyming words are “son/man” and “soon/doon” (aabb)
• the mother repeats her question twice at the beginning of each stanza, creating suspense
• “Mother, mak my bed soon, For I’m wearied wi’ huntin’, and fain wad lie doon”
• Greenwood = mystery