Thomas GRAY- Elegy written in a country churchyard PDF

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Life and Elegy written in a country churchyard analysis...

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The early romantic literature had different effects, one of these was the Churchyard poetry.

THOMAS GRAY “Elegy written in a country churchyard” In 1751 Gray published the Elegy , helped by his best friend Orace Walpole. His interest in simple, primitive cultures as well as in country life and his use of the then first person singular to express emotions marked some of the trend of romanticism. Gray is considered a transitional poet because, even though in the choice of the subject he rejected the classical tradition, he was still linked to it in his style as testified by the use of poetic diction. Themes of the Elegy : in 1742 one of Gray’s best friend died. The poet was deeply affected by this event and in the same year be started to write the Elegy. The traditional form of the Elegy, which usually laments someone’s death, is used by Gray as a vehicle for meditation in universal themes, such as death, man’s destiny, widely ambition and humility. Classical elements - Use of alternately quatrains of iambic parameters; - Use of abstract personification; - Universality of themes; - Idyllic view of country life; - Excessive time required to polish each stanza, thus excluding immediacy of inspiration; - Clear influence of classical poets, such as Dante, Lucretius and Petrarch ;

Early Romantic elements - Setting: a country churchyard; - Time of day: twilight, when the sun gives way to darkness; - Theme: meditation on death; - Use of country scenery as background; - Interest in and sympathy for poor humble people: the feeling of melancholy created by the atmosphere leaders the poet to a meditation on the humbles and gives him the chance to describe the life of poor people and, at the same time, to reflect on the circumstances that prevented them to become famous or evil; - Nature seen as a reality made up of earth trees and animals; - Relationship between natural scenes and the reflections of the poet; - Images of history and past ages; - Introduces the figure of the poet, who is now the speaking voice of the poem;...