A dirge is a somber song or lament expressing mourning or grief, of the kind that may be performed at a funeral. Often taking the form of a brief hymn, dirges are typically shorter and less meditative than elegies, and are often slow, bearing the character of funeral marches. A poetic dirge may be dedicated to a specific individual or otherwise thematically refer to death.
Facts
Place of OriginMedieval Western Christian liturgical tradition 1 Notable ExampleDirge for Fidele (Shakespeare's Cymbeline) 1 Defining TraitShorter and less meditative than elegies, often slow with the character of a funeral march 1 Connections
Sources
1. Dirge - Wikipedia
History section, paragraph 1
In the late Medieval period, it was common for Western Christian laity, both men and women, to attend the celebration of the Divine Office (canonical hours) according to various editions of the breviary alongside members of monastic communities.
Notable dirges section
'Dirge for Fidele', a portion of William Shakespeare's play Cymbeline that was later set to music by multiple composers.
Lead section, main definition
dirges are typically shorter and less meditative than elegies. Dirges are often slow and bear the character of funeral marches.
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