Here's why:
* Subject Matter: Elegies typically mourn the death of a person or lament a loss, be it a person, place, or idea. This inherently lends itself to a somber and reflective tone.
* Purpose: The goal of an elegy is to express grief, sorrow, and sometimes even praise for the deceased or lost thing. It aims to provide solace and comfort to the mourner and others who are grieving.
* Style: Elegies often use formal language, elevated diction, and complex poetic devices like metaphors, similes, and personification to create a powerful and moving effect.
While there might be some exceptions to this rule, the overall understanding is that elegies are serious poems meant to evoke a sense of mourning and reflection.