"THE BALLAD OF GOOD ADVICE" AND SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL PORTRAIT OF ENGLISH SOCIETY IN THE LATE 16TH – EARLY 17TH CENTURY
The article considers a set of ideas about the rules of morality and behavior, as they are recorded in the English broadside ballads. The article indicates the cognitive possibilities of this type of sources in the study of social and psychological characteristics of English society. The thematic group of broadsides, containing sets of good advice is specified and analyzed. The analysis of the texts reveals a complex characteristic meanings and intonations in the ballads, showing its dynamics during the second half of 16th – 17th centuries. The author comes to the conclusion of the gradual strengthening of rational motivations, sidelining religious ones. The changes of ideas about the hierarchy of power in the family and society are also shown. The multiplicity of proposed “right” behavior strategies in creating a family and work is noted as well as optimistic intonations of the ballads of good advice.