October 21, 2003

Virgil and the Shepherd's Totem Animal

           According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, bucolic poetry or pastoral poetry defines “any verse on rustic subjects” (243H).  Virgil’s Eclogues represents the prime example of bucolic poetry having to do with shepherds and shepherdesses.  In Virgil’s “Meliboeus Tityrus”, Meliboeus complains of being “exiled from home…while, Tityrus…sits careless in the shade, and at [hid] call,/ ‘Fair Amaryllis’ bid the woods resound” (243Z).  From Meliboeus’ statement once can deduce his envy for the simple, relaxing lifestyle of a shepherd serenely rehearsing pan pieces.  His restlessness and desperation for an answer can be detected in his tone.

Tityrus’ appears to refer to Jesus when he explains to Meliboeus “for him a god will I/ Deem ever, and from my folds a tender lamb/ Oft with its life-blood shall his altar stain” so “my kine may roam at large, and I myself/ Play on my shepherd’s pipe what songs I will” (243Z).  The lamb often alludes to Jesus.  Jesus died to atone for our sins so that humans could live; Tityrus honors and acknowledges Jesus’ role in allowing him to play what songs he desires.  He credits Jesus and simultaneously thanks him for the advice.

As a genuine bucolic poem, Melioboeus laments to Tityrus about the poor state of his fields and flock.  Tityrus attempts to console him by telling him his story of Rome where “freedom, which, though belated, cast at length/ Her eyes upon the sluggard” (244A).  Tityrus came to Rome in search of freedom after ceasing to work under Galatea’s yoke.  In Rome, Tityrus met the youth, Jesus, who instructed him to “Feed, as before, your kine, boys, rear your bull” (244A).  Tityrus follows Jesus’ instruction and begins to tend to his own fields.  Tityrus shares his experience with Melioboeus to passionately renew passion in tending his own fields.

Virgil’s “Ecologue VII” begins with the busy round up and attention to the pasture.  While “Thyrsis and Cordon/ Had gathered in the flock” and “from the frost [Melioboeus] fend[s]/ [His] tender myrtles,” (244F) the speaker of the poem, Melioboeus, spies the he-goat himself; Daphnis notes the reappearance and safety of the he-goat and encourages the other shepherds to “rest here beneath the shade” (244G) because he argues there is nothing else to do.  Daphnis argues that everything will take care of its self from here.  Melioboeus reluctantly relaxes beneath the tree as he enjoys the alternating singing conversation between Corydon and Thyrsis.  The subject of this poem revolves about the unimportance of time in the rustic setting.  With all the chores already accomplished, shepherds can enjoy singing and relaxing beneath the tree in an almost lazy manner.