Martial - Epigrams 1.38 Flashcards
1
Q
Translation
A
/~\/~\/~\/~\/~\/~\
2
Q
quem recitas meus est, o Fidentine, libellus;
A
The little book which you recite is mine, o Fidentinus;
3
Q
sed male cum recitas, incipit esse tuus.
A
but when you recite it badly, it begins to be yours.
4
Q
Stylistic analysis
A
Lines 1 and 2
5
Q
meus… tuus.
A
Contrast - two contrasting adjectives emphasising difference in quality of work
6
Q
libellus;
A
EP - his book is the subject of the poem
7
Q
male
A
Word choice - use of critical adjective suggests Fidentinus is bad at reciting
8
Q
tuus.
A
EP - implies that Fidentinus is a bad poet (rhyme was unpopular in epigrams)
