Relevant Texts Extracts

• Ovid's Ars Amatoria, Book I
• Ovid's Heroides
• Virgil's Aeneid, Books IV and VI

Key Themes

• Unrequited Love: A significant theme in Ovid's writings. The pain and torment of unreturned affection play a pivotal role.
• Epic Journey: Virgil showcases a hero's journey in his text, characterised by struggle, personal growth, and eventual triumph.
• Power of Destiny: Throughout Virgil's Aeneid, the controlling influence of destiny is suggested.

Author Insights

• Ovid: A Roman poet known for his exploration of love, myths, and his inventive use of the elegiac couplet. He used wit and humour in his poetry, often casting himself as the teacher or guide.
• Virgil: The author of the Aeneid, Virgil is revered as a nationalist poet. His works often carry political implications, reflecting the experience and values of his contemporaries.

Poetic Techniques

• Use of Metaphor and Simile: Both Ovid and Virgil enrich their descriptions by using figurative language, such as metaphor and simile.
• Ekphrasis: This is a poetic technique, often used by Virgil, that involves the vivid description of a work of art within the text.
• Allusion: Both authors frequently reference other poets, myths, and historical events to lend depth and significance to the current narrative.

Character Analysis

• Aeneas: The hero of the Aeneid is shown as a man of duty, often torn between his desires and his responsibilities to his people.
• Dido: Virgil presents Dido as a tragic figure, her love for Aeneas leading to her downfall.
• Ovid's Women Each letter in Heroides is written from the perspective of a woman, providing insight into the varied experiences, emotions, and circumstances of women from mythology.

Verse Structure

• Dactylic Hexameter: This verse form is commonly used in epic poetry and is the metrical pattern used by Virgil in the Aeneid.
• Elegiac Couplets: This is a verse form used by Ovid in his poetry—Ars Amatoria and Heroides. It consists of a line of dactylic hexameter followed by a line of dactylic pentameter.

Examination Tips

• Translate Accurately: Ensure a thorough understanding of the Latin text that includes not just the literal translation, but the nuances and idiosyncrasies of language.
• Draw on Metaphorical Understanding: Discuss the use of metaphor and simile in relation to the texts' broader themes.
• Analyse Character Development: Examine the growth, motivations, and actions of central characters to develop your understanding of the text.
• Reference Poetic Techniques: Identify and interpret the use of various poetic techniques such as allusion, ekphrasis, and the poet's choice of verse structure.
• Explore Themes: Demonstrate your understanding of the key themes in the texts, using specific examples and accurate translations.
• Understand Cultural Context: Remember to consider the historical, social, and cultural context of each text to support your interpretation and analysis.