Stylistic Features 14-28 Flashcards
Nos ubi decidimus
Instantly into personal with strongly placed nos sitting outside its clause.
ADVERSATIVE ASYNDETON
Decidimus lit means we have fallen out - euphemism for death
Quo…
Land of dead, Underworld
pater Aeneas
Son of Venus and Anchises - regarded as forefather of Romans - his descendants founded Rome
Tullus dives et Ancus
Tullus hostilius was legendary third king of Rome coming after Romulus and Numa Pompilius. Ancus marcius succeeded Tullus
Pulvis et umbra
Horace just mentioned magnificent men, if even they turn to dust and shadow no hope for mere citizens, heightens effect.
Adicaint hodiernae crastina summae tempora
Another financial turn - used metaphorically - both balanced around centre of the poem. However similarity ends there: first had note of renewal and optimism, this one is simply gloomy.
Rhetorical q = element of uncertainty
cuncta…amico quae dederis animo
First reader thinks Horace is suggesting giving possessions to a friend to protect them as we see amico - becomes clear amico is used as adjective when we see animo proposing self indulgence not generosity.
However it is obvious we can’t take possessions with us when we die
de te splendida Minos fecerit arbitria
Transferred epithet = splendida agrees w arbitria but is applicable to Minos
Minos possessed such wisdom he was made a judge in the underworld and if you would go to the equivalent of heaven or hell
Torquate
Probs a friend of Horace
Late arrival of the recipient of this poem = surprise
Non…genus, non te facundia, non te restituet pietas
3 powerful abstraction for any roman, ones birth, gift of eloquence + sense of duty. Form a tricolon in asyndeton - anaphora of non and te.
These powerful factors can effect life but have no effect after death
Emphasises helplessness of us all after death - compliments Torquatus but moreover death is the final reckoner
Perhaps most powerful couplet in the poem and in lime 23 = prevalence of spondees creating tension by long syllables
Infernis neque enim tenebris Diana pudicum liberat Hippolytum
Greek mythology - goddess of hunting Diana won’t save Hippolytus - who was innocent and good - his step mum tried hitting on him. Hippolytus got wrongly punished by his father Theseus
Nec lethaea valet Theseus abrumpere caro vincula Pirithoo
Both kings - decide to marry a daughter of Zeus. One suggests going to underworld, they go and get stuck to a rock on their backsides.
