October 14, 2003

Bucolic and Pastoral

“Ah, wretched Aegon, thy very kine will go to Hades, while thou too art in love with a luckless victory, and thy pipe is flecked with mildew, the pipe that once thou madest for thyself,” (243R) exclaims Theocritus’ Battus in Idyl IV.  According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, an idyll describes “a short poem describing an incident of country life in terms of idealized innocence and contentment” (243H).  Theocritus’ character, Battus, does an excellent job of demonstrating the bucolic naivety, stereotypical of the rustic population.  In response to Aegon’s abandonment of his flock and pastoral lifestyle for the promising glory of the Olympics, Battus reproves “wretched” Aegon for leaving all he has know for the excessive, superficial glamour of the Olympics.  Battus’ innocence is captured in the fact that he believes the pastoral lifestyle is the only lifestyle fit to be lived.  He is particular to mention the pipe as if it were beheld an honor and blessing to possess.  Battus’ biased belief in the pastoral lifestyle as the only honorable lifestyle hints his pride and contentment as a “neatherd” (243Q).

In contemporary terms, the preconception of clueless, naïve countryside folk still exists today.  The countryside folks lead innocent lives free from the complications and guilt that harass city people.  City people must deal with the bustling from place to place and are overly concerned with the passing of time; they live by the clock.  On the other hand, the country people lead a life of their own affected only by the crowing announcing the coming of a new day; they live by the cock.  The city people often see themselves as busy while countryside folks are seen as idle.  However, what are we busy doing?  “We are improving ourselves and the world about us,” some city people would answer.  Improving the world and educating ourselves so that we can survive in this world?  I have to admit, yes, we are adapting and surviving in this world; however, city people manage to change the world around them so much that it’s hardly recognizable.  City people could benefit from the “leave no trace” lifestyle the countryside folks. 

Some mountain climbers advocate the “leave no trace” style of climbing.  Rock climbing has become a popular sport as climbers defy gravity and climb the vertical faces of the rocks.  Yosemite National Park has become a hot spot for rock climbing and it has becoming increasing important to protect nature amidst the new-found, crazed rock climbing recreation.  Often time rock climbers will leave climbing aides wedged in fissure and cracks among the rock faces.  Over time the weathering and wearing will cause the fissures and cracks to deepen and widen thereby defacing the rock formation.

Country lifestyle is often associated with innocence and contentment because of its simplicity.  A simple lifestyle goes hand in hand with innocent and naivety with higher technology.  Since the lifestyle is simpler, country people should be able to enjoy life all the more for what it is worth.