Elegy
An elegy /ˈɛlɪdʒi/ is a mournful poem, usually written in remembrance of a lost one for a funeral or as a lament.
An elegy tells the traffic story of an individual, or an individual’s loss, rather than the collective story of a people, which can be found in epic poetry.
An elegy generally combines three stages of loss: first there is grief, then praise of the dead one, and finally consolation.
The word elegy comes from the Greek word "elegeia" meaning “lament ” or “a song of bereavement”. In the past, elegies were sung aloud and accompanied by a flute.
The theme of the elegy has been a mixture of lament and melancholy reflection. A pastoral elegy is developed through pastoral conventions and classical mythology. It is presumed that the poet is a shepherd who mourns the death of another fellow shepherd.
The first great pastoral elegy was written by Edmund Spenser. It is entitled 'Astrophel'. It was written on the death of Sir Philip Sidney.
History and Structure of Elegy
The ancient Greeks established a tradition of “elegeia,” which refers to a poetic verse of couplets about subjects such as death, loss, love, and battle.
This tradition was adopted by Roman conquerors who formulated elegies in Latin and addressed similar topics as Greek elegeia but added erotic and mythological themes as well.
The Renaissance brought a revival of elegy poems and their introduction to English literature. English poets focused their elegiacal verse primarily on death and loss of a loved one.
Classical elegiac poetry was generally structured in couplets. Since the eighteenth century, stanzas within elegy poems typically feature a quatrain, written in iambic pentameter with an ABAB rhyme scheme.
However, this structure is only suggestive, as many poets compose elegies with different meter and rhyme scheme. In fact,, most contemporary elegies have no set or formal structure at all.
Famous Examples of Elegy Written by One Author for Another
There is an established tradition of authors composing elegies that are inspired by and honor their fellow literary counterparts. These poems often reflect feelings of lament for the author’s death, eulogistic praise for their literary work and impact, and a form of solace for other mourners who may be without the power of elegiacal expression.
Here are some famous examples of elegy written by one author for another:
- “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray–inspired by the death of the poet Richard West
- “In Memory of W.B. Yeats” by W.H. Auden–honoring the passing of Irish poet William Butler Yeats
- “Adonaïs: An Elegy on the Death of John Keats” by Percy Bysshe Shelley–memorial poem for poet John Keats
- “Thyrsis” by Matthew Arnold–commemoration of the death of the poet Arthur Hugh Clough
- “Blake’s Purest Daughter” by Brian Patten–elegy for the poet Stevie Smith
Difference Between Elegy, Dirge, and Eulogy
Elegy, dirge, and eulogy serve similar purposes in relation to mourning and funerial services, but they are distinct from each other.
An elegy is a poem that reflects on a subject or person through sorrow or melancholy. Elegies are typically poems about someone who has died.
A dirge is a brief hymn or song that expresses lamentation or grief, and is generally composed to be performed at a funeral. In lyric poetry, a dirge is typically shorter and less reflective or meditative than an elegy.
A eulogy is a speech given as part of a funeral service that is written in tribute and praise of someone who has recently died. the term eulogy originates from the Greek word eulogia, which means “to praise” somebody or something. A eulogy is a literary device that is a laudatory expression in a speech, or a written tribute to a person recently deceased. We can say, it is a commendation or high praise intended to give honor, generally to a dead family member or loved one, or it is a tribute given to a dead person at his or her funeral.