One of the aspects of the medieval revival was a renewed interest in the poetry of the old English masters, more especially Spenser and Milton. Under the inspiration of Milton’s Penseroso, a school or cult of melancholy grew, and the poets of this school are known as “the churchyard school of poets”. Gray’s Elegy, Written in a Country Churchyard, is this school’s best and most popular poem. In this connection, mention may also be made of Edward Young, who in his Night Thoughts imparted the romantic touch of melancholy to the poetry of the period, for it became a fashion to imitate Young and write, like him, in a melancholy vein.
WORKS CITED
https://classicalartsuniverse.com/graveyard-poetry-18th-century-poetic-school/
https://www.britannica.com/art/graveyard-school
Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan is a teacher, bilingual writer and artist with over two decades of experience in teaching English language and literature. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of English at NSS College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her blog, ashlit.in brings together academic resources, creative writing in Malayalam and English, and visual art. The platform features lecture notes, study materials, poems, reflections, short prose, and a curated collection of her paintings. Through this space, she seeks to foster learning, creativity, and meaningful engagement with literature and the arts.
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