The Classic English Literature Podcast

Live with Me, Be My Love: Pastoral Eclogues

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July 20, 2023 3:00pm

27m

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If you listen to much modern American country music, you notice that many of the songs conjure up an idealized vision of small-town rural America, distinct from (and presumably superior to) life in urban areas.  The fact that many of these songs are written in large cities like Nashville points to a kind of constructed nostalgia.

This is very like the vogue for pastoral poetry in 16th century England.  We'll look at two famous poems: Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" and Ralegh's "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd."

Here's a link to a page that will direct you to the many replies and parodies of these poems: https://comelivewithmeballad.com/replies-parodies/



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