Thiery's Elegy Notes

Elegy Notes:

·         A poem of serious reflection, typically for the dead. (Google)

·         (in Greek and Roman poetry) a poem written in elegiac couplets, as notably by Catullus and Propertius. (Google)

·         The elegy began as an ancient Greek metrical form and is traditionally written in response to the death of a person or group. Though similar in function, the elegy is distinct from the epitaph, ode, and eulogy: the epitaph is very brief; the ode solely exalts; and the eulogy is most often written in formal prose.

The elements of a traditional elegy mirror three stages of loss. First, there is a lament, where the speaker expresses grief and sorrow, then praise and admiration of the idealized dead, and finally consolation and solace. These three stages can be seen in W. H. Auden’s classic “In Memory of W. B. Yeats," written for the Irish master, which includes these stanzas:

 

“With the farming of a verse

Make a vineyard of the curse,

Sing of human unsuccess

In a rapture of distress;

 

In the deserts of the heart

Let the healing fountain start,

In the prison of his days

Teach the free man how to praise.” (poets.org)

·         In a way it Cohen sides with a eulogy b/c they both focus on the dead, but there are MAJOR differences.

 

Definition:  An Elegy is lamenting poem or couplet to honor the deceased. A eulogy is an essay or a piece of writing, written to honor the dead.

Literary Form: Elegy- Poetry. Eulogy-Prose

Origin:  Elegy- Greek & Latin. Eulogy- Classic Greek

Tone:  Elegy- Melancholic: Expressing remorse or regret for a loss.  Eulogy-Reminiscing: Expressing praise and respect to a person; remembering how they were while they lived.

Timing:  Elegy- Written any time after the death of someone close or prominent; could be right after death or years later.  Eulogy- Generally written soon after someone's death, usually suring the funeral. Eulogy is mostly written for a late family member, friend or someone of acquaintance.

Etymology:  Elegy- 1514, from M. French elegie; Latin elegia; Greek elegeia. ode "an elegaic song," from elegeia, fem. of elegeios "elegaic," from elegos "poem or song of lament," perhaps from a Phrygian word.  Eulogy- Mid-15c., from Greek eulogia "praise," from eu- "well" + -logia "speaking," from logos "discourse, word;" legein "speak." Eu legein meant "speak well of."

Usage: Elegy- The poetess in Lucy wanted to write an elegy for her dear grandmother, whom she missed so much.  Eulogy-The expressive eulogy by Laura revealed the soft, caring side of the person her seemingly stern father really was.

 

·         Overtime, the elegy hasn’t really evolved. In the 18^th century, an elegy was known as a poem of the death of a particular person. Still today, it’s a poem on the death of a particular person. The only way it really fluctuates is dependent on the author. Some authors have written elegies on dead plants, old teddy bears, lost items, forgotten childhood memories, etc.

·         (Go to Examples/Hand Outs)