A-Z: General definitions: Graveyard Poetry

Definition

Poetry that is set in a graveyard and reflects upon death, particularly the recent loss of someone close. The poems are often elegies, and may reflect generally upon the Christian themes of death and the transience of life.

Although critics tend to refer to ‘the graveyard poets’ as if they were a formal group, this is not the case. The poets usually referred to include late-seventeenth and early-eighteenth century poets such as:

·         Thomas Gray

·         Thomas Parnell

·         William Cowper

·         Christopher Smart

·         George Herbert

·         Robert Blair

·         Edward Young.

Scan and go

Scan on your mobile for direct link.