ovid ars amatoria book 3 Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are the main points made in part 1 (it’s time to teach you girls)?
- Armed women are necessary
- Not all women are bad
- Teaching girls how to be loved
- Men abandoned women due to lack of art
- Venus inspired the writing of book 3
- Find love while young
- Benefits of affairs
How does Ovid use catalogues?
To give examples of lovers, contrasting with Homer and Virgil’s use for soldiers.
What are the main points made in part 2 (take care with how you look)?
- Most women are not naturally beautiful
- Hard work is needed to maintain beauty
- Standards have risen in Rome
- Avoid showing off wealth
What are the main points made in part 3 (taste and elegance in hair and dress)?
- Style your hair to suit your face
- Women can dye hair and wear wigs
- Choose colors that suit you, not just expensive purples
What is the ‘little book’ Ovid speaks of in part 4?
‘Cosmetics for the female face’
What are the main points made in part 5 (conceal your defects)?
- Examples of defects and solutions include:
- Short? Sit down and let a shawl cover your feet
- Slender? Wear a loose dress
- Pale? Wear bright clothes
- Ugly feet? Wear white leather shoes
- Small breasts? Wear a good bra
- Ugly fingers? Don’t gesture too much
- Strong breath? Don’t talk
What are the main points made in part 6 (be modest in laughter and movement)?
- Do not laugh if you have bad teeth
- Laugh modestly
- Speak well or don’t speak often
- Learn to walk nicely
What does ‘red faced Umbrian’ refer to in part 6?
A reference to unsophisticated people from Umbria, Italy.
What are the main points made in part 7 (learn music and read the poets)?
- Learn to sing and play the lyre
- Use music to attract men
- Read famous poets
What are the main points made in part 8 (learn dancing, games)?
- Know how to dance
- Play board games to please men
- The game of love has many players
What are the main points made in part 9 (be seen around)?
- Women should be seen in public
- Being seen increases desirability
- Poets are less respected but known for their poetry
What are the main points made in part 10 (beware of false lovers)?
- Avoid boys overly concerned with appearance
- Learn from other women’s suffering
- Unfaithful men may appear rich
What are the main points made in part 11 (take care with letters)?
- Send letters cautiously
- Wait before answering to create interest
- Use trustworthy servants for disguise
What are the main points made in part 12 (avoid the vices, favour the poets)?
- Avoid anger and pride
- Men dislike sad girls
- Poets are best suited for love
What are the main points made in part 13 (try young and older lovers)?
- Treat older lovers differently
- Easier to hold on to one lover
- Older lovers endure more
What are the main points made in part 14 (use jealousy and fear)?
- Reject boys to maintain interest
- Create jealousy without revealing another lover
- Use tricks to create allure
What are the main points made in part 15 (play cloak and dagger)?
- Deceive your husband if necessary
- Conceal letters and meetings
- Trust can be dangerous
What are the main points made in part 16 (make him believe he’s loved)?
- Make men believe in your love
- Pretend jealousy can enhance feelings
- Myth of Procris illustrates tragic love
What is the myth of Procris summarized?
Cephalus accidentally kills Procris, who was driven mad with jealousy.
What are the main points made in part 17 (watch how you eat and drink)?
- Arrive late to increase anticipation
- Eat daintily and avoid drunkenness
- Keep flaws hidden
What are the main points made in part 18 (and so to bed)?
- Lie in a flattering position
- Make pleasurable noises
- Darkness enhances the experience
What is ‘praeteritio’?
A rhetorical term for drawing attention to a point by seeming to disregard it.
What were male views on makeup?
- Condemned as unnatural
- Associated with seduction and vanity
- Ovid does not condemn makeup but stresses a natural look
What is ‘love’ in the context of Ovid’s books?
Seduction as a game to be played.
