cynical, and even gruesome; a few have suggested that
the faithless lady has murdered her lover. However, other
scholars have demonstrated that the PERSONIFICATION of
the ravens makes this ballad more complex than a simple
parody. Though scavengers, the ravens are polite and
dignifi ed. As a married couple, they are a success—the
husband provides, the wife sweetly follows, and they
work together to build a nest and raise their young—
while the slain human is completely alone: His hound
hunts without him, his falcon fl ies free, and his wife has
“ta’en another mate” (l. 11). Whichever the case, the bal-
lad poignantly demonstrates the fl eeting quality of
human life and human relationships.
See also BALLAD (FOLK BALLADS).FURTHER READING
Wiatt, William H. “ ‘The Twa Corbies’ Again.” Keystone Folk-
lore Quarterly (1965): 116–126.446 “TWA CORBIES, THE”