KAZAKH HEROIC EPIC “KOBYLANDY BATYR” AND ENGLISH FOLK BALLAD “SIR PATRICK SPENS”: A COMPARATIVE STRUCTURAL AND CONTENT ANALYSIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47526/3107-3085.84Keywords:
heroic epic, folk ballad, Kobylandy batyr, Sir Patrick Spens, structural analysis, comparative literary studies, folklore.Abstract
This article presents a focused comparative analysis of the Kazakh heroic epic “Kobylandy Batyr” and the Anglo-Scottish folk ballad “Sir Patrick Spens”, with particular emphasis on their structural organization and symbolic systems. The study aims to identify how differences in genre—heroic epic and tragic folk ballad - shape representations of heroism, fate, and the relationship between humans and nature. Through the use of comparative-typological and structural-semantic methods, the article demonstrates that “Kobylandy Batyr” constructs a collective heroic ideal grounded in social harmony and victory, while “Sir Patrick Spens” articulates an individual-centered tragic worldview dominated by fatalism. Special attention is given to symbolic elements, revealing how the steppe and horse function as affirmations of life and unity in the heroic epic, whereas the sea operates as a symbol of inevitable death in the folk ballad.
The analysis further examines the narrative structures of both works, highlighting the contrasting ways in which plot development, characterization, and poetic imagery reinforce their underlying cultural values. While the Kazakh epic emphasizes cyclical patterns of conflict and restoration that affirm communal identity and continuity, the Anglo-Scottish ballad follows a linear progression toward irreversible catastrophe, underscoring the fragility of human existence. The article also explores the role of oral tradition in shaping these texts, demonstrating how formulaic expressions, recurring motifs, and performative conventions contribute to the preservation of collective memory and ethical ideals. By situating both works within their broader historical and cultural contexts, the study reveals that despite significant differences in narrative structure and symbolic representation, they address universal questions concerning courage, duty, destiny, and the limits of human agency. The findings contribute to comparative folklore studies by offering a deeper understanding of how culturally distinct oral traditions employ genre-specific artistic strategies to express shared human concerns while reflecting the social values and worldviews of their respective communities.
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