Please explain in detail what literary genre "pastoral" is, its historical background, characteristics, representative works, etc.

Muge Pastoral

A literary genre that expresses the pastoral life of shepherds. Poets often use this genre to contrast the simplicity and tranquility of rural life with the corruption and depravity of city or palace life. This This genre originated in ancient Greece. Theocritus (3rd century BC) was the earliest pastoral author. The Roman poet Virgil published his pastoral in 37 BC, describing the idealized pastoral in simple verses. The scenery and characters in the simple life of Cadia are far away from real life. In fact, they are chanting the glory of the Roman Empire in the form of pastoral songs. Virgil's pastoral songs are not as simple as Greek pastoral songs, but they have a profound influence on the pastoral songs created by future generations of literati. During the Renaissance, pastoral became a popular genre. There were not only classical pastoral, but also pastoral novels and pastoral dramas that used pastoral themes. Famous ones include "Arcadia" by Italian writer Sannazzaro, Spanish writer Montemayor's "Diana", Shakespeare's comedy "As You Like It", etc. Milton's "Lycidas" is a pastoral elegiac poem, and discusses philosophical and religious issues in the poem. His "Science" "Mars" writes a farce in which young men and women tease each other in the form of a pastoral. Many pastoral works in romantic poetry often use this form to express the poet's attitude towards nature and society. Goethe's long poem "Hermann and "Dow Green Moss" is a famous example. The pastoral mood has also become an important theme in modern music.