What is Pastoral Poetry in Literature ? What does idyl mean ?
Pastoral Poetry is the kind of poetry, the subject of which is rural, mountain, forest, plateau, village life and natural beauties.
The word pastoral means shepherd or something which is related to shepherds. It is derived from the word Pasture. Pasture is used in English to mean grass and meadow.
The subject of pastoral poetry is the longing for nature itelf and beauty of nature. Love of nature is the main subject of pastoral poetry.
The first examples of pastoral poetry were given by Theokritos in the 3rd century B.C. Another name that comes to mind when Pastoral Poetry is mentioned in the First Age is Virgilius.
There are two types of pastoral poetry. The names of these species are idyll and eclogue. Idyll and Eglog are a concept specific to Western Literature.
The word pastoral is a French word. Pastoral Poetry is a kind of poetry that focuses on rural life, shepherd’s life and natural beauties.
There are many examples of Pastoral Poetry in World Literature. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe, A Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd by Sir Walter Raleigh, and The Bait by John Donne are some great examples.