The ballad, "Sir Patrick Spens"suggests many different things. The resounding themes are the powers of persuasion, the effects of ones own actions, and the impact on the people affected by those in power.
             The use of the powers of persuasion is apparent when the king was drinking, intoxicated, and said:
             "O whar will I get guid sailor,
             To sail this schip of mine."
             Up and spake an eldern Khicht,
             Sat at the kings richt kne;
             "Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor,
             That sails upon the se."(3-8)
             One would guess that the knight was making the most of that moment of power, when he had access to the king while he was intoxicated to persuade him to send Sir Patrick Spens and his men out to sea and into battle. The knight's motive was to make the king look bad, for making such a bad decision. One in which has a lasting impact on his people. This is also evident when Sir Patrick Spens reads the letter from the king. Sir Patrick Spens is quoted as saying:
             'O who is this has don this deid,
             This ill deid don to me,
             To send me out this time of year,
             To sail upon the se!" (17-20)
             It would lead on to believe that Sir Patrick Spens could not believe that his king would do such a thing to him and his men. Especially, at the time of year when the seas are rough.
             An example of the impact on his people is described:"O lang, lang may their ladies sit,wi thair fans in their hand,"(33-34) This shows that the king's actions have a trickle down effect. His decision to put these men into battle. Put many people at risk. They had no control of the situation. The impact odes not stop there, it is described as:"And thair lies guid Sir Patrick Spens,/ wi the Scouts lords at his feet.&q
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