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by Horace
Horace
65 BC 8 BC
Horace
Horace is the second greatest poet of Romes Augustan Age. Quintus Horatius Flaccus. Born in Venusia on Dec 8, 65 BCE, died on Nov 27, 8 BCE Studied in Rome, then in Athens.
Maecenas (Augustus close friend) provided financial support for various poets Virgil Introduced Horace to Maecanas
Augustus became the sole ruler of Rome until his death in A.D.14
Poets wish either to profit or to delight; or to deliver at once both the pleasures and the necessaries of life. (AP:333-365)
To delight and instruct Dulce et utile, meaning sweet and useful
But dont reveal on stage what should be hidden, keep things from sight(AP: 119-152)
Lapse in Decorum or polite society (i.e. Medea butchering her children)
And no gods should intervene unless theres a problem that needs THAT solution (AP: 189-219)
No using of deus ex machina
Fictions must be close to reality Follow a tradition or invent (but make sure its consistent)
Act as whetstone for the poets Teach proper duty of the poet Censuring and editing poetry Maintains DECORUM
Medias Res
in the middle of things Plays (and epics) begin in the middle. The middle agrees with the start, the end with the middle (AP: 119-152)
Music
- The Flute, accompany and assist the chorus
He always hastens the outcome and snatches the reader into the midst of the action, [] The middle agrees with the start, the end with the middle (AP: 119-152)
Like Aristotle, Horace insisted that each part be of a play be related (direct and intimate) with all other parts of the play.
References
Ars Poetica direct translation. http://romanhistorybooks.typepad.com/files/horacesatires-epistles-ap.pdf The Art of Poetry, translation by Christoper Smart. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19921 Aureus, Carlos, Critical Book Theory as it is in defense of a Classical Education
Thank you!