Ovid wife exile poem Flashcards
(8 cards)
1
Q
tum vero coniunx umeris abeuntis inhaerens (1)
A
- ‘then, as I was leaving, my wife hugged me’
- Enjambment: The sentence continues in the next line instead of ending here. This overflow shows her emotions are uncontrollable, just like her desperate attempt to hold on.
2
Q
miscuit haec lacrimis tristia verba meis (2)
A
- ‘and mingled with my tears her words of woe’
- Alliteration: Repitition of the ‘m’ sound. The soft ‘m’ sound reflects the gentle weeping and sadness.
3
Q
“non potes avelli. simul hunc, sumul ibimus,” inquit (3)
A
- ‘“We can’t be parted. We shall go together,” she said’
- Repitition: Repitition of the word ‘simul’ (meaning together). Shows her insistence and emotional resolve to stay with him.
4
Q
“te sequar et coniunx exulis exul ero.” (4)
A
- ‘“An exiled wife. I’ll share an exile’s fate.”’
- Polypoton: The same root word ‘exul’ is used twice. Emphasises how deeply she identifies with his fate.
5
Q
“te iubet e patria discedere Caesaris ira…” (5)
A
- ‘“you Caesar’s wrath compels to leave our country”’
- Metonymy: ‘Caesaris ira’ used to stand for Caesar himself. Highlights the cruelty and emotional power behind Caesar’s decision.
6
Q
“me pietas. pietas haec mihi Caesar erit.” (6)
A
- ‘“Me, love. For me that love shall Caesar be.”’
- Chiasmus: Word order forms an ABBA pattern (me pietas/pietas mihi). Emphasises that for her, moral duty replaces political authority.
7
Q
talia temptabat, sicut temptaverat ante (7)
A
- ‘she tried, as she tried before’
- Assonance : repitition fo the short ‘a’ sound. The repeated vowels create a flowing rhthym, reflecting her gentle, ongoing efforts.
8
Q
vixque dedit victas utilitate manus (8)
A
- ‘and hardly surrendered, yielding to expediency.’
- Juxtaposition: Compares ‘victas’ (defeated) and ‘utilitate’ (practicality). Contrasts the emotion of defeat with cold logic (usefulness), showing her inner conflict.
