Book II

Horace’s Book II of Odes is more self- reflective than Book I. It offers tons of advice to its readers throughout each poem. He starts the book, writing about the political corruption of Rome under a certain family while also shaming war caused by this political family. This first poem, introduces his major concern, the wellbeing of the Roman Republic. However, this is not a topic that he will discuss, opting to write about lighter topics:

“But come my naughty Muse, do not leave

Your cheerful ways to take to the duties of Cean dirges.

Stay with me in Dione’s daughter’s cave

And look for measures for a lighter plectrum”

(Poem 1, Lines37-40)

He goes on to advise against greed, (Poem II) allow slave love (IV), but only love of women who are old enough and ready for it. (V) He urges for mediation (X) discusses the short breadth of life (XI) the inevitability of aging and death (XIV), using one’s wealth for the advancement of the city (XV) and ends with references to gaining fame in his death.

It seems that Horace’s Book II realizes the mortality of man as it progresses. It starts with poems about war and love, giving advice to the people. As we reach the middle of the Book, the poems focus more on the shortness of life and offer advice much like the advice offered in poem XVI: “The mind which finds delight in the present moment / should not worry about what is to come…” (Lines 25-6) This line implies that people should not be concerned with the far future but instead should enjoy the present. Horace ends the book talking about his own fame, which will turn him into a bird. In his death, his fame will be so large that he will not have a body to bury or to lament over. Thus, he will have no need for a funeral, which implies that he believes his fame will immortalize him.