This volume investigates the complex interplay between classical pastoral tradition and John Milton's innovative structural and thematic departures in his elegy, "Lycidas." Edited by C.A. Patrides, the collection gathers scholarly essays that examine the poem's historical context, its relationship to the Edward King memorial collection, and its significance within the broader canon of 17th-century English verse. The contributors utilize historical, theological, and formalist frameworks to argue that "Lycidas" serves as a pivotal point where traditional elegiac conventions are both honored and subverted.

Scholars and students of Milton frequently cite this collection as a foundational resource for understanding the formal complexities of "Lycidas." Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which assumes a high level of familiarity with 17th-century literary conventions and classical allusions.