Posted: February 19th, 2022

How to Write an Elegy Poem

Writing an Elegy Poem

An elegy is a type of poem that is typically written to mourn or commemorate a person or group of people who have died. It is a form of poetry that has been used for centuries to express grief and sadness, and it can also be used to celebrate the life of the person or group that has passed away.
When writing an elegy, it is important to consider the tone and style of the poem. It should be somber and reflective, but it can also be uplifting and celebratory. The poem should be written in a way that honors the memory of the person or group that has died.
One way to begin an elegy is to describe the person or group that has passed away. This can be done by describing their physical characteristics, their personality, or their accomplishments. It is also important to include details about the person or group’s life, such as their family, friends, and hobbies.
Another way to start an elegy is to describe the feeling of loss or grief that the poem is meant to express. This can be done by describing the emotions that the poet is feeling, or by describing the emptiness that the death has left behind. It is also important to consider the perspective of the poem, whether it is written from the perspective of the poet, the person or group that has died, or a third-party observer.
It is also important to consider the structure of the poem when writing an elegy. Many elegies are written in a traditional rhyme scheme, such as abab or abcb. However, it is also possible to write an elegy in free verse, which allows for more flexibility in terms of meter and rhyme.
Once the structure and tone of the elegy are established, it is important to focus on the imagery and language used in the poem. The imagery should be evocative and powerful, and it should help to convey the emotions that the poet is feeling. The language should be simple and direct, and it should be easy for the reader to understand.
It is also important to include a sense of closure in the elegy. This can be done by describing the person or group’s final resting place, or by describing the memories that the poet will always have of the person or group.
Writing an elegy is a powerful way to express grief and sadness and to honor the memory of a person or group that has died. When writing an elegy, it is important to consider the tone and style of the poem, the structure and imagery used, and the perspective of the poem. With careful consideration and attention to detail, an elegy can be a beautiful and moving tribute to a person or group that has passed away.
Here are a few examples of famous elegies:
“Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray
“Lycidas” by John Milton
“Adonais” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
“When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be” by John Keats
“To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell
“An Elegy Upon the Death of Mr. William Shakespeare” by John Milton
“The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot
“Elegy for Jane” by Theodore Roethke
“An Elegy for My Father’s Father” by W.D Snodgrass
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot

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Tags: poetry, How to Write an Elegy Poem, English