To describe certain Latin words and expressions simply as ‘poetic’ (or ‘unpoetic’) can be misleading. Classical Latin poetry encompasses many different kinds of vocabulary. Some ranges of words and formulations are fairly obviously generically marked, while particular categories (e.g. archaism and neologism; prosaism and colloquialism; euphemism and vulgarism; foreign words and technical words) are capable of both consolidating and destabilising the stylistic registers associated with genre. How securely can we identify the intrinsic tone of any term or formulation, and how securely place it in a distinct category? What are the possible literary and/or emotional effects of deploying any of these types of vocabulary in poetry? Conversely, what are the effects of bringing so-called ‘poetic colour’ into passages of prose? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in the seminar, with reference to both ancient theory (e.g. Horace’s Ars Poetica) and modern academic studies (beginning with the seminal monograph of Bertil Axelson; see ‘Bibliography’ below). The problems and potential insights will be exposed and explored via sample passages of Latin text (e.g. early Roman epic; Lucretius; Virgil (Eclogues/Georgics); love elegy (Propertius and Tibullus); Ovid, Metamorphoses; satura (Horace/Juvenal); epigram (Catullus, Martial); Livy/Tacitus).
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Onderwijsvorm
Seminars
Leerdoelen
_Knowledge:
_Broadening of the range of Latin poetry studied in the Bachelor’s programme. Increasingly nuanced awareness of the lexical and stylistic aspects of Latin poetry. Familiarity with varied and academically demanding secondary literature. Awareness of the latest research in the field.
_Skills: _
‘Close-reading’ and lexical analysis of a wide range of Latin texts. Formulation of a substantially original and challenging question or hypothesis relating to some problematic aspect of the topic. Oral presentation of a preliminary argument/analysis. Written presentation of a sustained and fully worked-out argument/analysis in a professional and scholarly manner. Working to deadlines and within word-limits, and (where appropriate) in a group or partnership. Practice in both oral and written presentation in English.
Contextualisation and insight:
Reflection on: the influence of context on the impact made by vocabulary; the factors affecting our grasp of lexical nuances in classical Latin.
Literatuur
Prescribed primary texts:
students will be directed to online or ‘Blackboard’ versions of extracts from a wide range of Latin poetry. Written papers will be based on longer passages of text (e.g. a whole book of poetry) to be chosen by the students themselves.
Secondary literature:
J.N. Adams and R.G. Mayer (eds) Aspects of the Language of Latin Poetry. Proceedings of the British Academy 93. Oxford 1999.
J.N. Adams, T. Rheinhardt and M. Lapidge (eds.), Apects of the Language of Latin Prose, Proceedings of the British Academy 129. Oxford 2005.
J.N. Adams, The Latin Sexual Vocabulary. London 1982.
B. Axelson, Unpoetische Wörter. Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Lateinischen Dichtersprache. Lund 1945.
J. Booth, ‘Aspects of Ovid’s Language’ in H. Temporini (ed.) Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt II. 31.4 (Berlin-New York 1981), 2686-700.
J.B. Hofmann, Lateinische Umgangssprache. 3rd edn, Heidelberg 1951.
W. Kroll, Studien zum Verständnis der römischen Literatur, esp. Ch. 6 ‘Die Dichtersprache’, Stuttgart 1924.
P.E. Knox, Ovid’s _Metamorphoses _and the traditions of Augustan poetry, _PCPhS _Supplement 11. Cambridge 1986.
A. Lunelli (ed.) La lingua poetica. 2nd edn, Bologna 1980.
J. Marouzeau, Traité du stylistique latine. 4th edn, Paris 1962.
H. Tränkle, Die Sprachkunst des Properz und die Tradition der Lateinischen Dichtersprache. Hermes Einzelschr. 15. Wiesbaden 1960.
P. Watson, ‘Axelson revisited; the selection of vocabulary in Latin poetry, CQ 35 (1985), 430-48.
Toetsing
Oral presentation (in English) 20%; active participation in class discussion (in English) 10%; written paper (in English) 70%
Informatie
mw. prof. dr. J. Booth ( j.booth@hum.leidenuniv.nl)
Blackboard/webpagina
Will be used for basis course information and announcements; use of the discussion board will be considered, according to convenience and need.
Overzicht
Up to three classes will consist of introductory ‘hoor/responsie colleges’. Thereafter students will make an oral presentation (in English) of an analysis of a single prescribed passage.
Some time for independent study will be scheduled; minimum levels of attendance will be specified at the start of the course. Additional bibliography and a full overview of the schedule will also be given at this time.
Students should familiarize themselves with Axelson (1945) [see ‘Bibliography’ above] before the start of the course.
Toelatingseisen
The seminar is open to MA and MPhil students in Classics. Please use U-twist to enroll.