In its modern form, the elegy is a genre of poetry in which the speaker of a poem meditates on death and loss. The word “elegy” comes from the Greek word elegeia, meaning “poem/song of lament.” Elegies often memorialize specific people who have died or disastrous events that have occurred. Initially characterized by mourning, an elegiac poem typically shifts within its narrative to reflect a feeling of appreciation for the subject and, ultimately, solace. A genre of lyric poetry known for its emotional intimacy, the elegy has exerted a significant influence on poetic forms and modes throughout literary history.
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