THE EVOLUTION OF ALLEGORY IN THE PASTORAL ... - Repositories

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Dante's first eclogue is highly imitative of
Virgil's first.
Each is written in dialogue and possesses
certain autobiographical qualities, and each poet appears
to identify with the character Tityrus.
The setting in
each is typically pastoral, with two shepherds leisurely
lying under a tree, superficially contemplating their
pastoral duties, but in reality having a somewhat philosophical
discussion.
There is no actual attempt at mystery
or profundity in Dante's eclogue, but the genial wit
expressed in this poem suggests the expanding diversity
of the pastoral eclogue.
Dante's aim is not to write a
beautiful poem, but to say something indirectly and wittily
to a close friend.
The mood throughout Dante's epistolary eclogue is
humorous, but not always pleasant; he often appears sarcastic
and sometimes bitter.
A curious example occurs in
the first two lines:
"Vidimus in nigris albo patiente
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lituris/ Pierio demulsa sinu modulamina nobis." Superficially
Dante says that until now he has been only a
reader and not a composer of pastoral poetry. Allegorically,
however, by considering his political affiliations
and his subsequent exile, a possible reference to the
political opposition between the Blacks and Whites can
be derived. In 1302, the Blacks seized power over the
Whites (with whom Dante was affiliated) in Florence, and
Dante along with other White leaders was exiled. The