In Gray’s "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard", the speaker wonders about the potential accomplishments of those buried in the churchyard. What does the speaker imagine for these men? Discuss these possible achievements using supporting details from the text.
In "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," the speaker ponders the potential accomplishments of those buried in the churchyard, imagining the achievements they could have obtained if given the opportunity. The poem reflects upon the notion that talent and greatness can be found in the most unexpected places, even among the common individuals who are often overlooked in society. By contemplating the possible achievements of these men, the speaker highlights the inherent value and untapped potential within each human being.
The speaker acknowledges that those buried in the churchyard were not high-ranking individuals or renowned in their lifetimes. However, they could have possessed the ability to excel in various fields and make significant contributions. The text states:
"Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
These lines indicate that buried within the churchyard could be individuals possessing remarkable talents and wisdom, unknown to the world. The speaker suggests that exceptional individuals can arise from unexpected places, comparing them to hidden gems and unnoticed flowers whose true beauty and worth remain unrecognized.
The speaker further imagines that the buried men could have been renowned leaders and statesmen. The poem mentions:
"Their lot forbade: nor circumscribed alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined;
Forbade to wade through slaughter to a throne,
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind."
These lines imply that the individuals buried in the churchyard may have had the potential to rise to positions of power and influence. However, their circumstances prevented them from fully realizing their virtues and potential. The poem suggests that they were denied the opportunity to exercise their moral principles and become leaders who prioritize mercy and justice over the pursuit of power.
Moreover, the speaker entertains the idea that those buried in the churchyard could have excelled in arts and scholarship. The text mentions:
"Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country's blood.
Th' applause of listening senates to command,
The threats of pain and ruin to despise,
To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land,
And read their history in a nation's eyes."
These lines speculate that hidden in the obscurity of the churchyard could be individuals with extraordinary artistic and intellectual abilities. The speaker envisions a poet comparable to Milton, as well as a leader untainted by injustices like Cromwell, who could have commanded the attention and admiration of eminent assemblies. These individuals, the poem suggests, could have served as benevolent rulers, ushering prosperity and leaving their indelible mark on the nation's history.
Overall, the speaker imagines countless possibilities for the achievements of those buried in the churchyard. They could have been leaders, artists, scholars, or virtuous individuals capable of transforming society. Through these possible accomplishments, the speaker emphasizes the intrinsic worth and untapped potential residing within every individual, regardless of their social status or the recognition they receive in their lifetime.