Horace Book II

Introduction

Horace was the leading Roman lyric poet during the Octavian. He is also the most prominent character who pursues his independence of spirit and does not easily loose his identity while writing poem. He especially admired the Greek poetry and applied few aspects of it into his odes, which became more effective and easy to understand for the audience. As a general overview, Books 1 to 3 were published in 23 B.C while fourth book was written ten years after, 13 B.C. Each book consists different amount of poems and shares various range of subjects such as love, wine, morality, friendship, religion, war, and etc.

Analysis 

Horace depicts distinctive themes in Book II such as love, death, friendship, war, wealth, seduction, aging, and etc. Although social commentary, and moralizing about money continues from Book I, the Book II is portrayed more sadly compared to the Book 1. Moreover, Horace reflects and immerses himself in his poetry by presenting playful images. Also, he constantly uses self-reflection and ethical moral issues throughout his poems.

Major themes presented in each poem :

1) Rome and Civil War

2) Wealth

3) Death and modesty

4) Love

5) Aging

6) Aging

7) Friendship

8) Seduction

9) continues from 8…

10) Change, adjusting in adversity

11) Aging

12) Love

13) Death

14) Death

15) Modesty

16) Modesty

17) Death

18) Modesty

19) Bacchus

20) Death

As one can see, even though multiple themes are repeated in different poems, Horace has specifically ordered each poem that it portrays Horace’s life and further illustrates what people should strive for in order to have a fulfilling life. Horace’s love in life, seduction and maturation of women falling in love to Horace, facing adversity, and losing the beloved and the pain that follows all reflects his life and audience’s life as well. Moreover, as he ages, he realizes that life should not be taken things for granted that being modest and giving it back to the world is how life should be portrayed. Last but not least, death in Greek poetry cannot go unheeded and Horace has used the theme of death in a very similar way compared to previous poets in Greek Lyric. Death is inevitable and since human cannot live without death, they should be modest and humble when they are alive.