Open AccessMYTH AS HISTORIC BENCHMARK IN HORACE 1 ODES 3:1 – 6
Author(s) -
Sjarlene Thom
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
akroterion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.102
0eISSN - 2079-2883
pISSN - 0303-1896
DOI - 10.7445/51-0-64
Subject(s) - mythology , ode , frame (networking) , benchmark (surveying) , literature , philosophy , history , art , computer science , cartography , geography , telecommunications
Can a lyric poet have anything valid to say about historic realities?2 In this paper I argue that by looking carefully at Horace’s use of myth3 as a larger frame of reference against which Odes 3.1 – 64 should be read, a case can be made for a lyric poet’s subtly critical assessment of the contemporary reality.5 In short I want to suggest that the poet uses myth as a means to comment (implicitly) on the contemporary historic reality concerned. Furthermore, if a reference to myth can operate as implied comment on the present, this reference can also include didactic purpose, or more specifically advice on how to act in the present reality