“Come live with me and be my Love, And we will all the pleasures prove That hills and valleys, dale and field, And all the craggy mountains yield.” —Christopher Marlowe
Contents
- What Defines Pastoral Poetry?
- Tracing the History of Pastoral Poetry
- Examining English Pastoral Masterpieces
- Marlowe’s “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”
- Marvell’s “The Mower Against Gardens”
- Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
- The Enduring Appeal of Pastoral Poetry
- Contemporary Pastoral Poetry
These evocative lines from Christopher Marlowe perfectly encapsulate the essence of pastoral poetry. From its origins in ancient Greece to its flourishing presence in 18th-century literature, the pastoral mode has enjoyed remarkable longevity. This article delves into the core characteristics of pastoral poetry, traces its historical evolution, and analyzes influential English examples that have shaped its enduring legacy.
What Defines Pastoral Poetry?
At its heart, pastoral poetry presents complex human experiences through the lens of a simplified, idealized rural setting, often referred to as a locus amoenus (Latin for “beautiful place”). The specific location isn’t crucial; the emphasis lies on the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Pastoral poetry portrays this bucolic backdrop not just as preferable to urban life but as the ideal human existence. Andrew Marvell, a 17th-century champion of the pastoral, captured this sentiment in “The Garden” (1681): “Society is all but rude / To this delicious solitude.” While the locus amoenus can be any idealized rural setting, it often evokes culturally significant locations like Arcadia and the Garden of Eden, imbuing the pastoral with a sense of nostalgia for a lost “Golden Age.”
A classic pastoral landscape depicting the idealized harmony between humans and nature.
The word pastor itself means “shepherd” in Latin, reflecting the genre’s focus on the lives of shepherds. These figures often serve as vehicles for political commentary, representing the ideal leader tending to their flock. This political dimension, notably introduced by Virgil, distinguishes pastoral poetry from mere “rural” poetry, which depicts nature more realistically. The pastoral universe exists in a separate realm, akin to Northrop Frye’s concept of the “Green World”—a literary space that embodies “the world of desire” and reflects humanity’s aspirations for a better world.
Tracing the History of Pastoral Poetry
The roots of pastoral literature can be traced back to Hesiod’s “Works and Days” (circa 8th-7th centuries BC), which introduces the concept of a “Golden Age” – a utopian period in human history. Theocritus’s “Idylls” (circa 3rd century BC) further developed the genre, featuring shepherd characters grappling with love and loss. However, pastoral poetry truly flourished with the Roman poets who emulated Greek bucolic verse. Virgil’s “Eclogues” and Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” are prime examples. Virgil’s fifth eclogue, a lament for Daphnis, established key pastoral themes, including the pathetic fallacy (nature mirroring human emotion) and the shepherd’s concern for posthumous fame.
Andrew Marvell, a prominent 17th-century pastoral poet.
The rise of Christianity significantly influenced the pastoral. Virgil’s fourth eclogue was even interpreted as a prophecy of Christ’s birth. The merging of Christian and Roman empires intertwined the mythologies of Arcadia and Eden. Biblical imagery of shepherds resonated with pastoral themes, culminating in John Milton’s epic “Paradise Lost,” which depicts the fall of humanity from an idyllic garden.
Examining English Pastoral Masterpieces
The pastoral tradition has yielded some of the most poignant poetry in the English language. Let’s explore three examples:
Marlowe’s “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”
In this poem, the shepherd entices his beloved to embrace a rural life filled with natural beauty and material comforts. The poem subtly celebrates the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, where “delights” can be harvested and crafted.
Marvell’s “The Mower Against Gardens”
This poem critiques humanity’s manipulation of nature through artificial boundaries and selective breeding. Marvell laments the loss of natural innocence and the prioritization of artificial beauty over the “wild and fragrant innocence” of the “sweet fields.”
Thomas Gray, renowned for his influential pastoral elegy.
Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”
This pastoral elegy explores the tension between urban society and rural life, ultimately resolved by the universality of death. Gray questions the value of worldly ambition and celebrates the simple lives of the “rude forefathers” who rest in the churchyard.
The Enduring Appeal of Pastoral Poetry
Shakespeare mused on the immortality of literature, and the enduring appeal of pastoral poetry speaks to fundamental aspects of the human condition. It reflects our innate connection with nature and our longing for simplicity. In a world increasingly dominated by technology and material pursuits, the search for Arcadia, the idealized pastoral world, continues to resonate within us. The pastoral reminds us of the enduring power of nature and the importance of seeking harmony within ourselves and the world around us.
Contemporary Pastoral Poetry
The pastoral tradition continues to thrive today. Explore these contemporary works published by the Society of Classical Poets:
- “The Garden Guest” and “Songs of a Day” by Lorna Davis
- “Ode to Autumn” by Joseph Charles MacKenzie
- “Who Needs a Chinese Tractor?” by Reid McGrath
- “Meadows of Corn” by Satyananda Sarangi
- “Greening Fields” by Carole Mertz