In this presentation I have introduced the contents like; ~Horace ~Horace’s Ars Poetica ~Views of Horace ~Ars Poetica: 3 parts

1. Horace
(65-8 BC):
Ars Poetica
Kaushal Desai
https://sites.google.com/view/
kaushaldesai

2.  Horace
 Horace’s Ars Poetica
 Views of Horace
 Ars Poetica: 3 parts
Contents

3. • Roman lyric poet during Augusus
Caesar’s reign
• Advocate of moderation & practical
wisdom
• Considered by the classicists to be,
along with Virgil, one of the greatest of
Latin poets
• Associated with phrases like “carpe
diem” (seize the day), “dulce et decorum
est patria mori” (it is sweet and
appropriate to die for one’s country)
Introduction:
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65-8 BC)

4. ● Art of Poetry, Written about 19–18 BCE for Piso and his sons
and originally known as Epistula ad Pisones (Epistle to the
Pisos).
● Began a new tradition in literary criticism
● Highly influenced during Renaissance
● 1st translator Elizabeth I; then Ben Jonson
● Alexander Pope – Imitation of Horace
● Bible to middle ages
● Modelled on Aristotelian theory
Horace’s Ars Poetica

5. ● Like Plato, says nature is the source of poetry
● He argue that poets should imitate other poets as well
● He doesn’t call poetry mere act of imitation
● He says that a poet should know the importance of a literary
tradition and be able to create new works
● Horace speaks with vigour & directness as a person;
established a personal relation with the reader.
Views of Horace

6. Ars Poetica: 3 parts
The treatment of
the subject-matter
of poetry
I. Poesis
Deals with form
II. Poema
Talks about the
poet
III. Poeta

7. ● Poetry is not mere imitation; it is a creative adaptation
● A poem must have an organic unity
● “Purple patch” – a brilliant or ornate passage in a literary composition,
usually in the midst of mediocrity
● Imagination should be exercised with discretion & moderation
● Language of poetry is higher than the language of common use
● Discretion in the use of words
● A genre should stick to its metre
I. Poesis (subject-matter of poetry)

8. ● Most elaborated section
● Plot
○ Based on old familiar stories. Novelty may be imparted by skilful
treatment
○ Into the “middle of things” (in medias res) (Homer)
○ Comic themes should not be treated in the vein of tragedy or
vice versa
○ All the incidents of the plot should have a logical connection
II. Poema (form of poetry)

9. ● Characterization
○ Characters true to life, consistent
○ The quality of characters must fit their respective ages
● The dramatist must know what to represent on the stage and what to
report to the audience
● Only 5 acts; 3 characters in scene
● Denouement natural outcome; Chorus ‘must’
● Follow Greek (Read by the day and meditate by night)
II. Poema (form of poetry)

10. ● Incessant toil
● Keen observer of men and manners
● Teach and delight (mix pleasure with profit)
○ Poetry should be “dulce et utile” (sweet and useful)
● Even good Homer nods (faults may be forgiven)
● As is painting, so is poetry (“Ut pictura poesis”; they have equal
merit)
● Poetic inspiration / madness is absurd
● Horace, with typical self-mockery, acknowledged that he was not the
most inspired of poets.
III. Poeta (the poet)

11. Thank you!