From the readings and discussions, know the following nams and terms:
Cynthia
Love/Amor
Tullus
Gallus
Ponticus
Caesar Augustus
Antony
Callimachus and Philetas
Manes
Monobiblos(Book 1)
programmatic poem
addressee
servitium amoris(slavery of love)
praeceptor amoris(teacher of love)
militia amoris(soldiering for love)
paraclausithyron(by the closed door)
epitaph
recusatio(refusal)
Consider the following questions:
1. How does Propertius describe his relationship with Cynthia in the
first poem? Why does he mention Milanion? Witches? Friends? Why does
he give other lovers advice at the end of the poem?
2. How does Propertius structure his first book? By theme?
By pairs of poems? By addressee? Chronologically? Concentrically? Why
does he end the first book with two short poems that seem to have nothing
to do with love or Cynthia?
3. Consider the programmatic poem in each of the four books. Do they
characterize/sum up the content of each book? Are the four poems themselves
interrelated or allude to each other?
4. In examining each book can you see a progression in
theme or in the chronology of the affair from book to book? Or from
poem to poem within each book?
5. How does Cynthia compare with Catullus' Lesbia? The
persona Propertius with Catullus' persona?
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