Pastoral Elegy

A pastoral elegy is a poem that mourns the loss of someone while emphasizing nature and rural life. It typically features shepherds and idyllic landscapes, using these pastoral elements to express grief and reflection. The form often portrays the deceased as a noble figure and laments the beauty and transience of life. Prominent examples include "Lycidas" by John Milton and "Adonais" by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Ultimately, a pastoral elegy serves as both a tribute to the departed and a meditation on mortality, blending sorrow with an appreciation of the natural world.