The Eclogues · Character

Menalcas

A shepherd-singer whose verses are credited with saving his land, yet who is nearly killed when song fails to sway a brutal captain.

supporting

Also known as young Menalcas, Menalcas With Phyllis, Menalcas Who hates not living Bavius

First appearance: Pastoral III: Palaemon

As a supporting figure in The Eclogues, Menalcas is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Referenced as a past object of Corydon's affection, though black compared to Alexis's fairness.

In the storyPastoral II: AlexisOpen this moment free

See Menalcas in Pastoral II: Alexis Book page

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Menalcas moves through several eclogues as the collection's most persistent singer, trading verses with Damoetas, defending his farm through poetry, and lending his remembered songs to Moeris and Lycidas. His reputation for saving his fortune with a song collides with the hard truth that in these iron times, verses prevail about as well as trembling fowl against an eagle. He embodies the fragile hope that pastoral art can shield a life from soldiers and confiscations.

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The fuller portrait of Menalcas sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Menalcas in Pastoral III: Palaemon

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Menalcas sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Pastoral singers and gods
Diverse pastoral figures and patrons

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the dramatic climax because it presents Gallus at his absolute emotional nadir, abandoned by Lycoris a…

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Relationships

Palaemon
friendship · positive
Menalcas and Palaemon engage in frequent poetic exchanges, with Palaemon often acting as… How this plays out →
Phoebus
professional · positive
Silvanus
professional · positive
Silvanus
professional · positive

Palaemon
Menalcas and Palaemon engage in frequent poetic exchanges, with Palaemon often acting as an arbiter or judge in their pastoral contests.
Phoebus
Menalcas invokes Phoebus Apollo as a divine patron of poetry, seeking inspiration and favor for his songs.
Silvanus
Menalcas interacts with the woodland god Silvanus as a rustic devotee, acknowledging his role in the pastoral landscape.
Silvanus
Menalcas interacts with the woodland god Silvanus as a rustic devotee, acknowledging his role in the pastoral landscape.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Menalcas in Pastoral III: Palaemon

In the story

Menalcas appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Pastoral II: Alexis
Referenced as a past object of Corydon's affection, though black compared to Alexis's fairness.
Pastoral III: Palaemon
Challenges Damoetas to a singing contest; offers two carved bowls as wager; sings of his love for Amyntas and his disdain for Bavius and Maevius.
Pastoral V: Daphnis
One of the two shepherds in the singing contest; he proclaims Daphnis's divinity and offers a hymn of praise.
Pastoral IX: Lycidas and Moeris
A poet-shepherd who reportedly saved his estate with a song, but is now threatened; his songs are recalled by Moeris and Lycidas.
Pastoral X: Gallus
Mentioned as one of the swains who came to Gallus, wet with winter mast.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Menalcas unlock in the free preview.

See Menalcas in Pastoral III: Palaemon

See Menalcas in Pastoral II: Alexis