107-155 Roman Elegy

This is an Intermediate Level Latin subject.

A study score of at least 25 in VCE Latin or an approved equivalent. Students enrolled in this subject must have completed or be currently enrolled in 107-157 Intermediate Latin Language A, or have completed two of the following: 107-254 Intermediate Latin A, 107-255 Intermediate Latin B, 107-256 Intermediate Latin C, 107-257 Intermediate Latin D.

This subject examines the genre of elegiac poetry which flourished at Rome in the late first century BCE. Elegy's expressions of devoted yet unrequited love seem to emphasise passionate desire for its own sake. But at the same time, the elegists' apparent rejection of conventional Roman masculinity seems to present a deeper challenge to the social, and even political, status quo. Students will study one of the books of first person love poetry written by the major elegists: Propertius, Tibullus and Ovid. The subject will address the key elements of elegiac style, the nature of the first person elegiac persona, the characterisation of amor in the elegiac text, and the involvement of the text with contemporary political and social ideology. Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to read Roman elegy, identify its stylistic features, and analyse its central themes and relationship to conventional Roman culture.

• be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;

• possess effective written communication skills;

• have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

For 1st, 2nd and 3rd year: A 1200 word seminar paper 30% (due during the semester), an assessment text equivalent to 1000 words 25% (due at the end of semester) and a 1800 word essay 45% (due in the examination period). For 4th year: A 2000 word seminar presentation 40% (due during the semester), an assessment text equivalent to 1000 words 20% (due at the end of semester) and a 2000 word essay 40% (due in the examination period).

• Propertius, Elegies 1, R I V Hodge & R A Buttimore (eds). Bristol Classical Press 2002.