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File 8a Roman Criticism Horace

Horace, a prominent critic of Roman Classicists during the Augustan age, emphasized the importance of simplicity and suitability in the subject-matter of poetry in his work 'Ars Poetica.' He outlined the dual function of poetry as both instruction and delight, and discussed the essential elements of drama, including plot harmony, character authenticity, and the significance of style. Horace believed that a poet should skillfully use language to create clarity and effectiveness while maintaining a natural talent enhanced by training.

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15 views2 pages

File 8a Roman Criticism Horace

Horace, a prominent critic of Roman Classicists during the Augustan age, emphasized the importance of simplicity and suitability in the subject-matter of poetry in his work 'Ars Poetica.' He outlined the dual function of poetry as both instruction and delight, and discussed the essential elements of drama, including plot harmony, character authenticity, and the significance of style. Horace believed that a poet should skillfully use language to create clarity and effectiveness while maintaining a natural talent enhanced by training.

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bodabdo611
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Roman Criticism

1- Horace

Horace is the most significant critic of the Roman Classicists. He lived in the
Augustan age named after Octavius Augustus. There were two schools of writing in
Horace’s day: the old Latin and the modern Alexandrian. His criticism, therefore,
follows the Greek model in general and Aristotle, in particular.

Horace's book: Ars Poetica (Art of Poetry)

One of his main works is “Ars Poetica” (Art of Poetry) which is a letter in verse,
offering advice on literary matters. Horace’s discussion of poetry includes its subject-
matter, nature, function, kinds, and language.

Subject-matter of poetry

Horace makes two observations regarding the subject-matter of poetry, which


constitutes the first part of his “Art of Poetry.” He says “let your theme be what it
may, provided it be simple and uniform (i.e. not varying or strange)” and “choose a
theme suited to your powers.” He says that “the poet who chooses his subject wisely
will find that neither words nor lucid (i.e. clear) arrangements fail him.”

Kinds of poetry

In the second part, Horace discusses the forms and kinds of poetry e.g. epic, comedy,
tragedy and songs.

Nature and Function of poetry

Horace is of the view that the “nature” of poetry is “to charm (i.e. please, delight) the
mind.”

As for the function of poetry, Horace thinks that “poets desire either to improve (i.e.
to teach) or to please." Horace believes that the poet should "delight and instruct the
reader.” So according to Horace, poetry serves a dual function; instruction and
delight.

Language of poetry

According to Horace, a poet is free to use both familiar and new words if they fulfill
the two requirements of expression which are clarity and effectiveness. The poet’s
skill lies in making the familiar words appear strange and the strange words appear
familiar.

Horace is of the view that a great artist should be naturally gifted (i.e. talented),
though training is equally important.

Discussion on drama
Horace’s discussion on drama is divided into three parts: plot, characters and style.

Plot

The story of the plot may be borrowed from familiar material, preferably from the
known Greek legends.

There should be harmony in the plot, that is to say, harmony among the beginning, the
middle and the end.

Horace recommends that shocking events (e.g. a mother killing her child) should be
avoided

Horace feels that chorus should be an integral part of the plot and should not disturb
(i.e. interrupt) the unity of action.

Horace thinks that a play should be “neither shorter nor longer than five acts or it will
never win favor.”

Characters

Horace prefers the dramatist to draw on (i.e. resort to, to make use of , to use
information of) the ancient Greek legends.

If characters are invented, they must be true to life.

Style

Horace paid great attention to satire (i.e. criticizing things or people by making them
seem funny so that people see their faults). He lists the qualities needed for a satirist:
a) the ability to see fun of things and b) the ability to say things that are clever to
please in an unexpected way and

……………………..

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