Manju Mudakavihorace

Horatian Odes

Horace: the Man Behind the Ode   

Born 65 B.C. – Died 8 B.C. Studied philosophy in Athens Enlisted in army of Brutus during Civil War  44-42

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B.C.

Attracted attention of Maecenas in his twenties  Maecenas:

political advisor to Octavian (first emperor of Rome – Ceasor Agustus) and important patron of “Augustan” poets, such as Virgil

Horace’s Works 

First work: a book of Satires  35

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Odes: Book I – III, Book IV  23

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B.C. B.C. and 13 B.C.

Ars Poetica or Art of Poetry  19

B.C.  “The only complete example of literary criticism that we have from any Roman.”

Characteristics of a Horatian Ode        

Regular stanzas following the pattern set in the first stanza Made for individual/private contemplation Intimate and reflective Deals with themes of friendship, love, and poetry Often addressed to friends Serene tone Simple wisdom “Concision of language and rapid succession of images”

Myth of Pyrrha  

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Daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora Wife of Deucalion: expert stone thrower and creator of the second human race Pandora’s Box Story of Flood

Ode I.5 What slender youth, besprinkled with perfume, Courts you on roses in some grotto's shade? Fair Pyrrha, say, for whom Your yellow hair you braid, So trim, so simple! Ah! how oft shall he Lament that faith can fail, that gods can change, Viewing the rough black sea With eyes to tempests strange, Who now is basking in your golden smile, And dreams of you still fancy-free, still kind, Poor fool, nor knows the guile Of the deceitful wind! Woe to the eyes you dazzle without cloud Untried! For me, they show in yonder fane My dripping garments, vow'd To Him who curbs the main.

Ode I.5: Milton’s Translation To Pyrrha What slender youth, bedew’d with liquid odours, Courts thee on roses in some pleasant cave, Pyrrha? For whom did’st thou In wreaths thy golden hair, Plain in thy neatness? O how oft shall he On faith and changed gods complain, and seas Rough with black winds, and storms Unwonted shall admire! Who now enjoys thee credulous, all gold, Who always vacant, always amiable, Hopes thee, of flattering gales Unmindful. Hapless they To whom thou untried seemest fair. Me in my vowed Picture the sacred wall declares to have hung My dank and drippings weeds To the stern God of sea.

Ode I.5: Translation from “A Short Dissertation upon Horace” Pyrrha, what slender well-shap’d Beau, Perfum’d with Essence haunts thee now? And lures thee to some kind Recess, To sport on Rose-Beds sun in Ease. Prithee what Youth would’st thou ensnare, Artless and Clean with flowing Hair? How oft will he have cause to mourn The broken Vows and Cupid’s Scorn? Unskill’d as yet he’d wondering spy, Fresh Tempest raging in that Eye, From whence he hoped a calmer Sky. Who now poor Gull enjoys the Bliss, Thinks you divine and solely his: Born down the Tide with easy Sail, Little suspects an Adverse Gale.

Thrice wretched they who feel thy Darts, Whilst Strangers to thy Coquette Arts. My Garments in the Fane display’d, As Trophys that my Vows are paid, Own the Great Ruler of the Sea, Author of my Delivery.

Bibliography 

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Clark, Barrett H. “Horace (65-8 B.C.).” European Theories of the Drama. Cincinnati: Stewart & Kidd Company, 1918. Theatre Database. 11 March 2009 . Cosgrove, Charles H. A Woman’s Unbound Hair in the GrecoRoman World, with Special Reference to the Story of the “Sinful Woman” in Luke 7:36-50. Journal of Biblical Literature. 4 (2005): 675-692. Faverio, Maria Claudia. “Essay: The Ode.” Reason and Rhyme. 12 Dec. 2007. 11 March 2009 < http://reason-andrhyme.blogspot.com/2007/12/essay-ode.html>. “Poetry Criticism: Horace.” Enotes. 11 March 2009 < http://www.enotes.com/poetry-criticism/horace>. Myths of Pyrhha and Pandora: Wikipedia