What is an elegy?

An elegy is traditionally understood as a poem or song that expresses sorrow or lamentation, particularly for someone who has died. It serves as a means of mourning and reflection, often capturing the speaker's feelings of loss and grief. Elegies may also explore themes of mortality, the impact of death on the living, and the legacy left behind by the deceased. This definition aligns perfectly with the choice that identifies an elegy as a song expressing sorrow for the dead.

In contrast, the other choices describe different types of writing or themes. A celebration of life typically conveys joy and appreciation, which is not the focus of an elegy. Similarly, a joyful hymn is aimed at uplifting or praising, rather than mourning. While a prayer for the deceased may include elements of remembrance, it is not specifically defined as an elegy, which is more about personal expression of grief. Thus, the choice that accurately captures the essence of an elegy is the one that speaks to its nature as a sorrowful reflection on death.