Horace and his Lyric Poetry [Paperback]

Featuring a number of translated Latin passages, this book is especially concerned with Horace as the poetic craftsman.Featuring a number of translated Latin passages, this book is especially concerned with Horace as the poetic craftsman. Like most Roman poets, Horace was not inventive in subject-matter: he generally wrote about what we now recognize as the eternal platitudes. But Mr Wilkinson focuses on the mastery of form, rhythm and cadence that have charmed readers for centuries.Featuring a number of translated Latin passages, this book is especially concerned with Horace as the poetic craftsman. Like most Roman poets, Horace was not inventive in subject-matter: he generally wrote about what we now recognize as the eternal platitudes. But Mr Wilkinson focuses on the mastery of form, rhythm and cadence that have charmed readers for centuries.In this volume, first published in 1945, Mr Wilkinson writes primarily for students of the classics who are not Horatian specialists. His book falls easily within the scope of those who can read any Latin at all  and even of those who cannot, for most passages quoted are also translated. Horace  for Mr Wilkinson  is the poet of the Odes and the Epodes  the incomparable genius of the lyric form, and a sympathetic and engaging character into the bargain. He is especially concerned with Horace as the poetic craftsman. Like most Roman poets, Horace was not inventive in subject-matter: he generally wrote about what we now recognize as the eternal platitudes. But Mr Wilkinson focuses on the mastery of form, rhythm and cadence that have charmed readers for centuries.Preface; 1. Introductory; 2. Life and works; 3. Character and views; 4. Attitude to poetry; 5. The Horatian ode; 6. Translation; 7. Epilogue; Indices.