3. Summary
• Ovid’s dream begins and the scene is set.
• A closely set grove of oak sits below a sunny
hill.
• Below the grove is a grassy meadow.
• Ovid sits beneath the trees, trying to avoid the
heat but is unsuccessful in doing so.
• Finally, a white cow halts in front of his eyes.
4. Style Points
• Idyllic, perfect scene set
“aprico” = sunny (line 3)
“viridissima” = very green (line 5)
“lene sonantis aquae” = gently sounding water
(line 6)
• Indication of lurking danger
“in ramis multa latebat avis” = many birds were
concealed in the branches (line 4)
5. Style Points
• Onomatopoeic effect created by “sonantis
aquae” – “sounding water” used to convey the
noise (line 6)
• Repetition of “aestum” – “heat” shows
prevalence of love (lines 7-8)
• Use of “ecce” as exclamation at start of line 9
draws attention to the main character (white
cow)
• “candida vacca” description shows how cow is
otherworldly and dreamlike (line 10)
6. Amores iii – Poem 5
(Lines 10 – 20)
Summary
The cow was as white as fresh snow and
recently squeezed milk from a sheep. She was
with a Bull, her companion, and they lay down
on the ground together. He continues to chew
on his recently digested cud. However his head
becomes heavy and sleep forces him to lay it
on the ground .
7. Lines 10-20
Analysis
Comparatives
“candidor nivibus” (whiter than snow) – emphasises how white the cow is and exaggerates its
appearance, making it seem so pure and perfect. This makes it seem more surreal and is in
keeping with the on-going dream theme of the poem.
Imagery
The description of the cow and the introduction of the Bull create a relaxed and peaceful scene.
Also he uses “teneram” (tender) to describe the ground. This adjective helps to create vivid
imagery as it makes us engage with our senses and imagine the touch of the earth. Thus
helping us to bring to life the images and themes explored in this section.
Personification
In this section, Ovid personifies “somnus” (sleep) as taking it taking away the Bulls strength. The
personification helps to emphasise how dramatic the Bull’s need to lie down is and makes it
seem a very physical visual image.
8. Summary: Amores iii.5 21-30
In this small passage we are
recounted the vision of the crow
coming down and pecking the cow’s
chest, and then how the cow moving
off to other bulls and pastures.
9. Analysis: Amores iii.5 21-30
Terque= three times; happened 3 times
Petulanti; mischievous, almost sexual meaning
The position of “fodit” as the first word emphasizes it and gives the
pecking a more potent feel to it.
The alliteration of “albentes abstulit” heightens the sense of worry
and anger and confusion that Ovid’s persona is feeling.
10. Bull and place; reflective of being left behind
Sed niger; brings out contrast/change
Tauros; at
end of line;
emphasized
Laeta; temptation
Gregibusque inmiscuit illis; inbetween those
herds in word order
12. Summary
• Ovid asks the interpreter of dreams to explain
his dream
• The interpreter reveals that Ovid's lover is
going to leave him
13. Analysis
• The use of the phrase “quicumque es” “whoever you are” when talking about the
interpreter adds a sense of mystery and confusion to the section
• “expendens…..singula” “weighing up each word” the use of these words seem to
make the subject matter seem to be much more serious
• The fact that Ovid has chosen to explain the dream may tell us something about
who the poem is for, as it suggest that it is written for his love. In this case he has
add this explanation so that he is sure that she will understand the message to is
trying to put across.
14. More Analysis
• Ovid makes a big contrast in this section between the previously pure girl and the
now adulterous girl by using white and black as symbolism for this.
• There is also another contrast made between the heat of love “aestus” and the
cold bed that he will be left with “ frigidus”. Also the placement of “frgidus” at the
beginning of the line emphasises the feel of emptiness that this image conquers
• The use of the word “lena” to describe the old woman shows a sense of the hatred
that Ovid has for her.
• At the end of the poem Ovid becomes very melodramatic using both the image of
his blood being drained of blood and the idea of darkness “nox” to show his
immense fear.
16. Summary
• Establishing she is allowed to sin as long as
she doesn’t tell him.
• Not on a need to know basis
• Showing that anyone can sin but they
shouldn’t tell anyone about it
• Uses an example
17. Lines 1-4 Two similar
couplets each
with the same
start
Non ego, ne pecces, cum sis formosa, recuso
I do not tell you to sin, since you are pretty
Sed ne sit misero scire necesse mihi;
But it shouldn’t be necessary for me to know, wretched that I am
Nec te nostra iubet fieri censura pudicam
Nor does my censure command you to become chaste,
sed tandem ut temptes dissimulare Persuading
But it does ask you try to pretend to be woman calling
her pretty and
makes her sad
18. Lines 5-8 Alliteration:
Punchy “p”s
Non peccat, quaecumque potest peccasse negare
It isn’t a sin for any girl to be able to say she hasn’t sinned
Solaque famosam culpa professa facit.
Contrasting
And only blame confessed gives her a bad reputation. day and night
Quis furor est, qua nocte latent, in luce fateri
What madness is it to own up in daylight things that lay hidden in darkness
Et, quae clam facias, facta referre pallam?
And to recount openly the things you might do in secret?
Almost making her feel
Soft ‘f’ sound almost conveys stupid or ridiculous for
secrecy admitting that she sins
19. Use of “Quiriti” a
patriotic name for a
Lines 9-10 Roman, is part of him
twisting the Roman
morales
Ignoto meretrix corpus iuctura Quiriti
A tart going to join her body to some unknown son of
Quirinus
Opposita populum submovet ante sera
Keeps the public out by locking the bolt beforehand
Using a relevant example to pack up his
case.
21. Summary
• Don’t let your sins be exposed
• Act like you are innocent
• Deny that you have indulged in naughtiness
• There is a place – be naughty there!
• Leave your sins in that place
22. TU TUA PROSTITUTES FAMAE PECCATA SINISTRAE
COMMISSI PERAGES INDIUMQUE TUI?
TU TUA – alliteration is punchy and makes it seem both inquisitive and
accusatory
COMMISSI – (misdeed) emphasis at the start of line
COMMISSI + INDICIUM - legal vocabulary being used by Ovid
while he is undercutting the laws of Augustus
23. SIT TIBI MENS MELIOR, SALTEMVE IMITARE PUDICAS,
TEQUE PROBAM, QUAMVIS NON ERIS, ESSE PUTEM
MENS MELIOR – alliteration mimics the strength of the mind
PUDICAS – placement means emphasis on the fact that she herself is not
modest
QUAMVIS NON ERIS – (although you are not) placement in-between what
Ovid thinks shows how it is stuck in his mind and it is mixed up in his
thoughts
24. QUAE FACIS, HAEC FACITO: TANTUM FECISSE NEGATO
NEC PUDEAT CORAM VERBA MODESTA LOQUI.
QUAE FACIS, HAEC FACITO – repetition = emphasis and almost a bit
confusing and imperative shows desperation
NEGATO – imperative = desperation perhaps and placement emphasises as
essentially this is the most important thing he wants her to do
NEC...LOQUI – turning morality on the head as due to roman morals, this
was the opposite of what was meant to happen
25. Amores 3.14 lines 21-30
• Ovid is describing what ‘misdeeds’ his girl
should allow in the bedroom
• Ovid asks her again to lie to him about these
things
26. EST QUI NEQUITAM LOCUS EXIGAT: OMNIBUS ILLUM
DELICIIS INPLE,STET PROCUL INDE PUDOR
DELICIIS – (pleasures) emphasis at beginning of line as to what this
place is really about and enjambment heightens this
NEQUITAM – encouraging licentiousness and choice of vocabulary has
very sexual connotations
PROCUL – (far away) heightens sense that Ovid really wants his girl to
‘go wild’ in this place
27. HINC SIMUL EXIERIS, LASCIVA PROTINUS OMNIS
ABSIT, ET IN LECTO CRIMINA PONE TUO
SIMUL + PROTINUS – gives a sense of urgency and perhaps that he is
getting worried as his girl is leaving the place and so he wants her to as
quickly as possible stop being naughty!
ABSIT – emphasis at beginning of line as this is essentially the most
important part of the sentence as he wants her to stop these things.
CRIMINA – legal vocabulary gives a sense of perhaps how awful the things
she is doing are
IN LECTO – it is quite a sexual reference and it reminds us how Ovid is
aware of what she is doing
28. “Illic..illic…illic” = There Context:
Tricolon and anaphora Deliberately trying to provoke reaction
Gives impression that Ovid’s mind is Esp. with recent introduction of Lex Juliae,
lingering on these thoughts, and keeps and Augustus’s reign of modesty
coming back to it. Humour? Jealousy?
Undressing illic nec tunicam tibi sit posuisse pudori Love and passion
‘Venerem amor’
nec femori inpositum sustinuisse femur;
Kissing… illic purpureis condatur lingua labellis, Shows the love
inque modos Venerem mille figuret amor; Ovid feels to be
Gradually getting physical.
more and more illic nec voces nec verba iuvantia cessent, May show why he
graphic spondaque lasciva mobilitate tremat doesn’t want her to
leave him
Generally very graphic and descriptive language: femur…purpureis…lingua…lasciva
Creates a vivid image from Ovids imagination
29. indue cum tunicis metuentem crimina vultum,
et pudor obscenum diffiteatur opus;
•Zeugma: put on physical + metaphysical, clothes representing
chastity. Telling her to act appropriately for situation.
•Juxtaposition: PUDOR shame, OBSCENUM indecent
shows the shame she should be feeling over these acts.
da populo, da verba mihi; sine nescius errem,
et liceat stulta credulitate frui!
•Imperatives/Jussives: DA…DA…ERREM…LICEAT
Shows Ovid is pleading with his girl for her not to tell him these things
•Ovid’s persona as elegiac lover : voice seems pathetic and obsessive
31. Summary implied meaning
• Why do you send and receive so many letters?
• Why is the couch indented as if bodies have laid there?
• Why is your hair a mess as you have not slept?
• And your neck has a tooth mark on it?
• Just make sure that you are subtle with your affair
• If you protect your reputation, keep me ignorant of your
actions as well
• Every time you confess what you have done I die and go
mad
• And I feel cold at the prospect
• I’m in love and can’t stop loving what I try and fail to hate
• I would like to be dead as long as you are still with me.
32. ANALYSIS of lines 31&32
• Cur totiens video mitti recipique tabellas?
• Cur pressus prior est interiorque torus?
33. ANALYSIS of lines 33&34
• Cur plus quam somno turbatos esse capillos
• Collaque conspicio dentis habere notam?
34. ANALYSIS of lines 35&36
• Tantum non oculos crimen deducis ad ipsos
• Si dubitas famae parcere, parce mihi
35. ANALYSIS of lines 37&38
• Mens abit et morior, quotiens peccasse fateris,
• Perque meos artus frigida gutta fluit
36. ANALYSIS of lines 39&40
• Tunc amo, tunc odi frustra, quod amare
necesse est;
• Tunc ego, sed tecum, mortuus esse velim.
38. • Nil equidem inquiram nec, quae celare
parabis, insequar: et falli muneris instar
erit
Ovid decrees he would never
investigate her indiscretions
• repetition of negatives inforce
• The short snappy ‘Insequar’ emphasizes
the strength of the statement
39. • Si tamen in media deprensa tenebere
culpa et fuerint oculis probra videnda
meis
He describes a situation in which he
catches her in the act
• The idea that it ‘HAS’ to be seen by his
eyes, otherwise he wouldn’t care
• He describes her deeds as wicked, but
this shows he loves her, but detests only
what she does
40. • Quae bene visa mihi fuerint, bene visa
negato: concedent verbis lumina nostra tuis
He admits that a simple denial from her will
prevail over what he has seen to be true
• The use of the word concede shows
surrender and submission to her
• The repetition of ‘Bene visa’ foregrounds its
meaning, which is that the act was ‘Clearly
seen’
41. • Prona tibi vinci cupientem vincere palma
est, sit modo ‘non feci’ dicere lingua memor:
Ovid describes how easy it would be for her to
defeat him
• Again, he talks about defeat and submission
on his part as shown with ‘Prona tibi’
(leaning forward to [her])
• The fact that the words in the second
statement are all short show the simplicity of
what she has to do
42. • Cum tibi contingat verbis superare
duobus, etsi non causa, iudice vince tuo.
Ovid seems resigned when he describes
how easily she can win, not through
evidence and loyalty but through defeating
his
• The blunt 3 worded final statements
emphasize the finality and resignation of
his submission to her
43. Summary
• He Continues to beg his wife to deceive him and to spare his feelings
• He adds how even if he does catch her in the middle of her sin he will
yield to her words.
• Stresses the fact that all he wants is to be blissfully ignorant and just
keep up appearances
44. Analysis
Nil equidem inquiram nec quae celare parabis
Insequar et falli munaris instar erit.
Ovid is adamant that he remain ignorant, negative repetition emphasises this.
“muneris” gift, All Ovid asks for from his wife his this single kindness.
He so fears adultery that he must make it absolutely clear that he will try his
hardest not to discover it.
45. • si tamen in media deprensa tenebere culpa
• Et fuerintoculis proba videnda meis
• “vivenda” have to be seen, Ovid here shows his persona as the elagiac
lover as he considers all possibilities.
46. • Quae bene visa mihi fuerint bene visa negato
• Concedent verbis lumina nostra tuis
• “bene visa” direct contrast between their implications, he wants her to
deny everything however obvious it was.
• “concedent” his eyes are inferior to her words.
• “tuis” your, at the end of the line adds emphasis.
47. • prona tibi vinci cupientem vincere palma est
• Sit modo „non feci‟ dicere lingua memor.”
• “Palma” palm of victory, pathetic elagiac lover, the notion of love as a
competition.
• “Vinci cupientem” wanting to be defeated, again pathetic elagiac
• “non feci” reference to legal vocabulary reinforces the idea that he is the
believing judge.
48. • Cum tibi contingat verbis superare duobus
• Etsi non causa iudice vince tuo.
“Caudsa iudice” cause judge, juxtaposition emphasises that even though her
case is damming Ovid will always turn a blind eye.
“Verbis duobus” two words, Ovid is trying to persuade her with the reasoning
that her task is pleasurable and easy.
“tuo” your, last word in the poem strongly emphasises that she can do anything
and that she is in control.
49. Themes
• Elagiac – notion of victory
• Fear, Ovid will do anything and believe
anything to allay his fears.
• Controvosy – why let your wife do wrong
before your eyes. Legal vocabulary spites
Augustus‟ reforms
