eclogue

American  

[ek-lawg, -log] / ˈɛk lɔg, -lɒg /

noun

1. a pastoral poem, often in dialogue form.

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eclogue British  

/ ˈɛklɒɡ /

noun

1. a pastoral or idyllic poem, usually in the form of a conversation or soliloquy

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Etymology

Origin of eclogue

1400–50; late Middle English eclog < Latin ecloga < Greek eklogḗ selection, akin to eklégein to select; see ec-

Explanation

An eclogue is a short, dramatic poem that's set in the countryside. If the poem you're reading includes a conversation between shepherds, it's probably an eclogue. There are other types of poetry that focus on idealized rural life, including bucolics and idylls. While these terms are often used interchangeably, an eclogue is distinguished by its dramatic form, the likelihood that it includes a shepherd's monologue (or a dialogue between two of them), and usually some reference to the delightful simplicity of the country compared with the complexities of urban society and politics. The Greek root, ekloge, means "a selection of poems."