Consider “Adonais” as a Pastoral Elegy.

Answer

Consider “Adonais” as a pastoral elegy.

A pastoral elegy is a mournful poem. It is written for the nearest or dearest person who has died. This types of poem are written using imagery from nature and rural life. In a pastoral elegy, the poet and the person are often depicted as shepherds. The countryside setting is used to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere. 

B. Shelley’s (1792-1822) “Adonais,” published in 1821, is a pastoral elegy. This elegy is written for the death of John Keats (1795-1821). Keats was a great Romantic poet. He died in 1821 at the age of 25. The poem is a pastoral elegy because it has some features of pastoral elegy—such as invocation, mournful tone, nature’s presence in mourning, the procession of mourners, and consolation. 

Invocation and Mournful Atmosphere: The pastoral elegy begins with a mournful tone and an invocation to the muses (Nine goddesses who govern over the arts and sciences. They serve as a source of inspiration for artists and poets). In “Adonais,” we can see that this poem starts with an invocation to Urania. Urania is the muse of astronomy. Shelley imagines Urania as the muse of highly standard poetry. He invites Urania to mourn the death of Keats. The poet addresses Keats as “Adonais”. This name is inspired from the classical figure Adonis.

We also notice a mournful tone as the poet laments the death of his contemporary poet, John Keats.

“I weep for Adonais-he is dead!”

Nature and Shepherd: Nature’s participation in mourning is a significant feature of pastoral elegy. In this poem, all natural objects join in mourning for Adonais’ death. All natural things lament the poet’s death. Shelley imagines that flowers, trees, and streams grieve for Keats. We can see that the Spring season is wild with grief.  It is throwing her flower buds down. As if the Spring has become Autumn and throwing the buds. The poet says:

“Grief made the young Spring wild,”

Lamentation: In the next