1. Pastoral poetry
“The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” and “The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd”

2. Elements of Pastoral Poetry
Peaceful imagery
Idealistic
Identified in rural people and shepherds
Sometimes focused on romantic love, sometimes not
Upper class image of shepherds
Did shepherds have time to compose poetry?
Were sheep really that sweet?

3. Christopher Marlowe He was a scoundrel, a ladies man and a hothead
Accused of being a government spy
Knifed to death in a tavern brawl
Extremely talented and envied poet

4. Sir Walter Raleigh Famed courtier, navigator, poet and historian
Favorite of Queen Elizabeth I

5. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
The best-known example of pastoral poetry
Celebrates beauty and pleasures of country life
Conventional poem: speaker is addressing someone he loves
World of nature is idealized

6. The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd
Skeptical, clear-eyed response
Turns the shepherd down

7. Which side do you agree with?

8. Debate Rules Divide yourselves evenly (or close enough)
Mr. P will call on those who raise hands and are respectful
No talking unless you are the one called on
You must respond to previous statement
Stay on topic!