Pastoral in Literature

Pastoral in Literature: Introduction

Pastoral in literature/pastoral literature, a genre rooted in classical and Renaissance traditions, idealizes rural life and landscapes while exploring themes of nature, innocence, and the simple life.

Emerging from the word “pastor,” meaning shepherd, pastoral works often feature shepherds or rural characters who engage in idyllic, bucolic settings. This genre, with origins in the ancient Greek and Roman traditions, gained prominence during the Renaissance, with notable examples such as Edmund Spenser’s “The Shepheardes Calender.”

Pastoral literature serves as a means of escapism, offering a romanticized vision of the countryside that contrasts with the complexities of urban life, reflecting cultural ideals and societal values of different historical periods. Over time, pastoral themes have evolved, adapting to changing social and environmental contexts, making it a versatile and enduring literary genre.

Pastoral in Literature: Shakespearean

• “As You Like It”: Shakespeare incorporates pastoral elements in this comedy through the Forest of Arden, a rustic retreat where characters seek love and self-discovery away from courtly complexities.
  • Rosalind’s Disguise: The character of Rosalind adopts a pastoral disguise, contributing to the pastoral theme and adding complexity to the narrative.
• “The Winter’s Tale”: In the second half of this play, pastoral motifs emerge as the story shifts to Bohemia, featuring shepherds and a pastoral setting.
  • Reconciliation and Rejuvenation: The pastoral elements in this section symbolize themes of reconciliation, rejuvenation, and the passage of time.
  • Contrasts: The play explores the dichotomy between rural simplicity and the intricate dynamics of courtly life through its use of pastoral elements.

These examples highlight Shakespeare’s adeptness at weaving pastoral themes into his works, employing them not just for their idyllic qualities but also as a narrative device to explore profound themes and contrasts.

Pastoral in Literature: Examples

Title	Author	Key Pastoral Elements and Details
“As You Like It”	William Shakespeare	Forest of Arden, a pastoral retreat where characters seek love and self-discovery. Rosalind adopts a pastoral disguise.
“The Winter’s Tale”	William Shakespeare	Bohemian pastoral setting in the second half of the play, featuring shepherds. Themes of reconciliation, rejuvenation, and the passage of time.
“The Shepheardes Calender”	Edmund Spenser	Idyllic portrayal of rural life in twelve eclogues (poems), featuring shepherds. Contains allegorical elements and reflections on political and social issues.
“Lycidas”	John Milton	A pastoral elegy set in a rural landscape, where shepherds mourn the death of a friend. Addresses themes of loss, death, and the transient nature of life.
“The Bucolics” (Eclogues)	Virgil	Classical pastoral poetry consisting of ten eclogues, featuring dialogues among shepherds. Addresses themes of love, politics, and the Golden Age.
“Arcadia”	Sir Philip Sidney	Prose pastoral romance set in the fictional land of Arcadia. Explores themes of love and honor in an idyllic, pastoral setting.
“Walden”	Henry David Thoreau	Reflective account of Thoreau’s experiment in simple living at Walden Pond. Philosophical reflections on nature, society, and individualism.
“The Wind in the Willows”	Kenneth Grahame	Anthropomorphic animals in a pastoral riverbank setting. Chronicles the adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. Themes include friendship, home, and the changing seasons.
“The Secret Garden”	Frances Hodgson Burnett	Revival of a neglected garden as a symbol of renewal and healing. Set in a Yorkshire manor, the story follows Mary Lennox and her discovery of the secret garden.
“Brother Sun, Sister Moon”	Katherine Paterson	Modern pastoral novel exploring environmental conservation. Follows the journey of a young boy, Francis, and his connection with nature and animals.

Pastoral in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

• New Criticism:
  • Emphasis on close reading and formal analysis of the text.
  • Attention to language, imagery, and symbolism in pastoral elements.
  • Exploration of how pastoral settings and themes contribute to the overall meaning and structure of a literary work.
• Ecocriticism:
  • Focus on the relationship between literature and the environment.
  • Examination of how pastoral literature reflects or challenges cultural attitudes toward nature.
  • Consideration of the ecological implications of pastoral ideals and portrayals of the natural world.
• Postcolonial Theory:
  • Analysis of pastoral literature in relation to colonial landscapes and the impact on indigenous cultures.
  • Exploration of power dynamics and representations of land ownership in pastoral settings.
  • Consideration of how pastoral elements may reinforce or subvert colonial ideologies.
• Feminist Criticism:
  • Examination of gender roles within pastoral settings and their impact on characters.
  • Analysis of how pastoral literature may reinforce or challenge traditional notions of femininity and masculinity.
  • Exploration of the agency and perspectives of female characters in pastoral contexts.
• Marxist Criticism:
  • Investigation of class dynamics and social structures within pastoral portrayals.
  • Analysis of the economic implications of rural life and labor in pastoral settings.
  • Consideration of how pastoral literature reflects or critiques prevailing socioeconomic conditions.
• Psychoanalytic Criticism:
  • Exploration of the psychological dimensions of pastoral characters and landscapes.
  • Analysis of pastoral elements as symbolic representations of the unconscious and desires.
  • Consideration of how pastoral settings contribute to character development and psychological themes.
• Postmodernism:
  • Deconstruction of traditional pastoral ideals and conventions.
  • Examination of how pastoral elements may be used ironically or parodically in postmodern literature.
  • Exploration of the fragmented and decentered nature of pastoral representations in a postmodern context.

Pastoral in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Idyllic	Picturesque and idealized representation of rural life.
Bucolic	Pastoral poetry or literature depicting peaceful rural life.
Golden Age	Imaginary period of peace and prosperity in pastoral settings.
Eclogue	Short pastoral poem or dialogue featuring shepherds.
Arcadia	Utopian, pastoral region symbolizing an idyllic place.
Ecocriticism	Literary theory examining the relationship between literature and the environment, including pastoral themes.
Sublime	Concept emphasizing awe-inspiring, transcendent aspects of nature, explored in pastoral literature.
Pastoral Elegy	Poetic form lamenting death, often set in a pastoral landscape.
Locus Amoenus	Latin for “pleasant place,” an idealized, beautiful setting common in pastoral literature.
Rustic	Pertaining to rural or countryside life, associated with simplicity and charm in pastoral settings.

Pastoral in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Blake, William. Songs of Innocence and Experience. Dover Publications, 1992.
2. Hardy, Thomas. Far from the Madding Crowd. Penguin Classics, 2003.
3. Milton, John. Lycidas. Oxford University Press, 2010.
4. Pope, Alexander. Pastorals. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017.
5. Shelley, Percy Bysshe. Prometheus Unbound. Oxford University Press, 2008.
6. Spenser, Edmund. The Shepherd’s Calendar. Oxford University Press, 2015.
7. Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. Oxford University Press, 2008.