pastoral theatre

Pastoral theatre is a genre of drama that highlights idealized rural life and nature, often contrasting it with urban or courtly settings. It typically features characters like shepherds and shepherdesses, engaging in poetic dialogue about love, beauty, and the simplicity of countryside living. Originating in Renaissance Europe, it aims to evoke a nostalgic or idealized vision of rural innocence, often serving as a backdrop for exploring human virtues and emotional expression. The genre emphasizes harmony with nature and poetic reflection, blending entertainment with moral or philosophical themes rooted in the idyllic country life.