LATIN III EXAM PART SIX

Structural Analysis: On the Question 'What is love?'. Choose at let one poem each by Catullus, Horace, and use Ovid Amores 1.1. 50%


Part VI
1. Intro-The ancient poets had varying opinions on love, and this not only reflects their writing, but the methods by which they courted their lovers.
2. Proairetic-Horace, in poem 1.11, is trying to get Leuconoe to let loose, be free, live a little, and "seize the day" ("carpe diem" Hor. 1.1.8). Catullus likes to set a trap by making his crush think he/she has a choice in the matter, but then Catullus turns on them, as evident in Catullus 5. Ovid also uses his writing to demonstrate his love, trying to convince his potential lover that his intense emotions are from the gods themselves, more specifically Cupid.
3. Hermeneutic-Horace has a pattern to telling Leuconoe what not to do, and he strays from this at teh end of his poem, telling Leuconoe what her next actions should be. Catullus repeatedly uses the word "then" to build up to the climax of his poem. Ovid continues to refer to meter, and feet, growing in the end to "eleven feet," (Ovid Amores 1.1.30) the final line and height of the poem.
4. Semic-Horace uses more proper connotations to woo Leuconoe, while Catullus uses much darker connotations in his words. Catullus' use of the word "nox" (Cat 5.6) shifts the tone of the poem, marking a change in approach. Ovid has an epic feel to his poem, trying to win his lover's heart by his fancy diction.
5. Symbolic-Time is a large symbol for Horace, as he tries to convince Leuconoe that time is fleeting. Catullus uses the sun as a symbol, because when it is gone, he is in his element, where naughty things may happen. Ovid uses meter as a symbol, representing the amount of love he holds, and this grows until the end of the poem.
6. Reference-Horace uses a fair amount of allusions to not distract too much from his poem, while Catullus uses none, so that Lesbia can focus on his words. Ovid, on the other hand, is only trying to impress with his knowledge, so uses a large amount of references.
7. Diagetic-Horace begins with "tu" making sure the poem is all about Leuconoe. Catullus starts his poem by asking, then ends it by demanding. Ovid ends with "feet", his love having grown to its height by the end.
8. Conclusion-Horace, Catullus, and Ovid all vary their approaches on winning their lovers hearts based on their opinions on love and poetry.