The author offers a possible explanation of a stable thematic complex including the themes of erotic frustration, agon and death as a constitutive for idyllic genre. The choice of Theocritus’ Idyll XI for the analysis is motivated by its undoubtedly intimate character (along with Idylls VII, XIII and XXVIII), which makes them part of some specific personalized contexts: the people mentioned were Theocritus’ colleagues along with being his friends.
