Brand new verb tego, which has an initial feeling of ‘conceal’ (Dated s.v. tego step one), appear to setting ‘clothe’ (Old s.v. tego step 3) and clearly consists of it resonance in the indicated juxtaposition with nudasse, of nudo, ‘build nude, divest’ (Old s.v. nudo step 1). The poem and therefore announces ‘dress’ – or in other words ‘undress’ – given that a polyvalent shape to own Sulpicia’s elegiac poetics. In accordance with the amatory program of modern Latin elegy Sulpicia benefits sensual, socially quit strip down more reputable, socially conformist top eg do match that person she ‘sets on’ having area, once the she says throughout the poem’s finally couplet (vultus componere famae | taedet, ‘I am sick and tired of writing a face mask getting rumour,’ step three.13.9–10). By expressing through the metaphor out of disrobing this lady purpose to get the girl amatory verses with the flow, Sulpicia combines one or two apparently in comparison
Compared with this new nakedness regarding elegy’s patron deity Amor and you will the new open honesty of elegiac poet-spouse, as well, really stands the brand new elegiac mistress’s antique love of luxurious attire and pricey adornment
193 Sartorial Attractiveness and you can Poetic Finesse geek2geek about Sulpician Corpus elegiac skirt requirements. Propertius, such as for instance, rebukes their mistress on her behalf need for high priced dresses and then make-up with the fresh observation the naked god doesn’t respect artificially increased charm (nudus Amor formae non amat artificem, step 1.2.8). Likewise Ovid argues you to, regardless if he may lack the riches and you may highest lineage to help you impress their mistress, most other features – and his blameless reputation, unlock sincerity, and you can blushing modesty – will be commend him to help you this lady (Are. step 1.step 3.7–14): quand me low veterum commendant magna parentum nomina, si nostri sanguinis auctor eques, nec meus innumeris repus aratris, temperat et sumptus parcus uterque parens: on Phoebus comitesque novem vitisque repertor hac faciunt ainsi que myself qui tibi donat Amor mais aussi nulli cessura fides, sine crimine mores, nudaque simplicitas purpureusque pudor. If the high brands of my personal dated ancestors do not highly recommend myself, in case the writer of the descent was an enthusiastic equestrian, nor are my home revived with lots of ploughs, and every mother or father frugally husbands debts, nonetheless Apollo, the new 9 Muses, his companions, and you will Dionysus, discoverer of vine, just take my region along with Like exactly who gives me to you, loyalty that may submit to none, a characteristics versus blemish, discover sincerity, and blushing modesty.
Ovid here elaborates new moral out-of Propertius step one.2.a dozen so you can articulate a match up between the latest elegiac poet’s humble position together with elegiac partner’s naked feeling, and then he can get thereby imply that the fresh new elegiac poet-lover follows Amor’s example inside eschewing costume. Propertius makes reference to his wife clothed throughout her finery (step one.dos.1–6): quid iuvat ornato procedere, vita, capillo et tenuis Coa veste movere sinus, aut quid Orontea crinis perfundere murra, teque peregrinis vendere muneribus, naturaeque decus mercato perdere cultu, nec sinere for the propriis membra nitere bonis?
Towards one-hand, nudity is the attribute attribute of Amor, tutelary deity of Latin erotic elegy and patron of your elegiac poetlover
194 Alison Keith As to the reasons, living, might you happiness simply to walk aside with your hair themed and you may rustle the thinner retracts of Coan dress, or perhaps to soak your own hair that have Syrian myrrh market yourself for overseas gifts, marring the natural splendor by purchasing adornment and not enabling the branches to help you glow with their innate appeal?
Myrrh and Coan ‘silk’ were costly east luxury imports on Rome, the previous an Arabian item readily available due to Syrian exchange, the second delivered on island from Cos by rotating brand new filaments away from a caterpillar just like the Chinese silkworm.step 1 As the Coan silk was also nearly transparent (cf. Hor. Sat. step 1.2.101–103), they said the fresh new wearer’s sexual supply (an attribute you to definitely, paradoxically, aligns the fresh elegist’s wife which have Amor). the newest poem’s finishing range, taedia dum miserae sint tibi luxuriae, ‘provided that the wretched privileges show boring to you,’ 1.dos.32), he in other places asserts that the subtlety from her dress drives their refined elegiac verse (dos.step one.3–8): non haec Calliope, non haec mihi cantat Apollo, ingenium nobis ipsa puella facit. sive illam Cois fulgentem incedere †cogis† hac totum e Coa veste volumen erit; seu vidi offer frontem sparsos errare capillos, gaudet laudatis ire superba comis; Calliope doesn’t sing this type of tunes in my experience, neither Apollo. My personal spouse furnishes the inspiration. For people who force their to get in glowing from inside the Coan silks, my entire volume will step out within the Coan raiment; or if perhaps I’ve seen the girl wandering together with her hair spread-over her forehead, she rejoices and you can strolls aside arrogantly when I have praised the girl hairdo.