Brand new verb tego, that has a primary sense of ‘conceal’ (Old s.v. tego step one), seem to form ‘clothe’ (Dated s.v. tego step three) and certainly includes which resonance here in its directed juxtaposition with nudasse, off nudo, ‘build nude, divest’ (Dated s.v. nudo step 1). Brand new poem and so announces ‘dress’ – or rather ‘undress’ – just like the an excellent polyvalent contour getting Sulpicia’s elegiac http://www.datingranking.net/nl/grindr-overzicht poetics. In accordance with the amatory program of contemporary Latin elegy Sulpicia rights erotic, socially quit strip down over recognized, socially conformist top for example would suit that person she ‘places on’ to own neighborhood, since the she claims on poem’s finally couplet (vultus componere famae | taedet, ‘I’m sick of composing a mask for rumour,’ 3.thirteen.9–10). Because of the stating from the metaphor away from disrobing their purpose to place this lady amatory verses on the flow, Sulpicia integrates a couple apparently compared
Compared to this new nakedness of elegy’s patron deity Amor and you will the fresh discover sincerity of the elegiac poet-mate, simultaneously, really stands the brand new elegiac mistress’s conventional love of magnificent attire and you may pricey decoration
193 Sartorial Attractiveness and you may Poetic Finesse about Sulpician Corpus elegiac top rules. Propertius, such as, rebukes his mistress on her demand for high priced outfits to make-up with the brand new observance your naked goodness will not admire forcibly enhanced charm (nudus Amor formae non amat artificem, 1.dos.8). Furthermore Ovid argues you to definitely, although he may do not have the wide range and high lineage so you’re able to attract his domme, almost every other functions – along with their blameless character, open sincerity, and you may blushing modesty – would be to commend him to her (Am. step 1.3.7–14): si me low veterum commendant magna parentum nomina, si nostri sanguinis auctor eques, nec meus innumeris repus aratris, temperat ainsi que sumptus parcus uterque parens: at Phoebus comitesque novem vitisque repertor hac faciunt ainsi que me et celle-ci tibi donat Amor ainsi que nulli cessura fides, sine crimine mores, nudaque simplicitas purpureusque pudor. If your higher names out of my dated ancestors do not suggest myself, if your writer of our very own lineage is a keen equestrian, nor was my estate renewed with some ploughs, each mother or father frugally husbands costs, however Apollo, the fresh nine Muses, his friends, and you can Dionysus, discoverer of the vine, simply take my region plus Like who gives me to you, commitment which can yield to nothing, a nature in the place of blemish, discover trustworthiness, and you will blushing modesty.
Ovid right here elaborates brand new ethical off Propertius step one.2.12 in order to articulate a connection between new elegiac poet’s very humble position plus the elegiac lover’s nude feelings, in which he can get thereby signify the fresh elegiac poet-lover observe Amor’s analogy from inside the eschewing fancy dress. Propertius makes reference to his girlfriend dressed up in most the girl finery (step one.2.1–6): quid iuvat ornato procedere, vita, capillo ainsi que tenuis Coa veste movere sinus, aut quid Orontea crinis perfundere murra, teque peregrinis vendere muneribus, naturaeque decus mercato perdere cultu, nec sinere within the propriis membra nitere bonis?
To the one hand, nudity ‘s the feature feature out-of Amor, tutelary goddess from Latin erotic elegy and patron of your elegiac poetlover
194 Alison Keith As to the reasons, living, could you joy simply to walk aside along with your hair inspired and rustle the fresh lean folds of Coan gown, or perhaps to immerse the hair which have Syrian myrrh market yourself getting overseas gift suggestions, marring the natural beauty by purchasing adornment and never allowing their limbs so you’re able to shine making use of their innate charms?
Myrrh and Coan ‘silk’ have been expensive eastern deluxe imports at the Rome, the former an enthusiastic Arabian item readily available as a consequence of Syrian trading, the latter lead toward area out of Cos from the rotating the brand new filaments of good caterpillar just as the Chinese silkworm.step 1 Because Coan cotton was also almost transparent (cf. Hor. Seated. step 1.2.101–103), it said new wearer’s intimate supply (a feature one, paradoxically, aligns the elegist’s spouse that have Amor). the newest poem’s concluding line, taedia dum miserae sint tibi luxuriae, ‘so long as your own wretched privileges prove tedious for your requirements,’ step one.dos.32), the guy someplace else asserts your subtlety from her gown inspires his delicate elegiac verse (dos.step one.3–8): low haec Calliope, low haec mihi cantat Apollo, ingenium nobis ipsa puella facit. sive illam Cois fulgentem incedere †cogis† hac totum age Coa veste volumen erit; seu vidi ad frontem sparsos errare capillos, gaudet laudatis ire superba comis; Calliope cannot play this type of musical to me, neither Apollo. My spouse furnishes our motivation. For folks who compel the woman to get in glowing inside the Coan silks, my personal whole regularity usually come out in the Coan raiment; or if perhaps I’ve seen this lady drifting together tresses spread-over this lady forehead, she rejoices and strolls aside arrogantly when I’ve applauded this lady hairdo.
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