In the opening monody of Seneca’s Phaedra some features remind us of Catullus’ Attis poem. This allusion, that is probably mediated by the episode of Numanus Remulus in Aeneid book 9, and can be explained through the common mythical pattern of the “chasseur noir”, serves to depict the furor of Hippolytus, who transforms Attis’ odium Veneris into a more general hatred towards an ethically corrupt humanity. In his irrational impulse to flee from community, one can detect the traits of fuga sui, a vitium which is condemned by Seneca in his De tranquillitate animi. Like other Senecan monodies, Hippolytus’ anapaestic song therefore fulfills the task of representing the delirium of a character.
Bruna Pieri (2018). Nimio Veneris odio: Catullo 'tragico' in Seneca 'lirico'. PAIDEIA, 73, 967-987 [10.1400/262694].
Nimio Veneris odio: Catullo 'tragico' in Seneca 'lirico'
Bruna Pieri
2018
Abstract
In the opening monody of Seneca’s Phaedra some features remind us of Catullus’ Attis poem. This allusion, that is probably mediated by the episode of Numanus Remulus in Aeneid book 9, and can be explained through the common mythical pattern of the “chasseur noir”, serves to depict the furor of Hippolytus, who transforms Attis’ odium Veneris into a more general hatred towards an ethically corrupt humanity. In his irrational impulse to flee from community, one can detect the traits of fuga sui, a vitium which is condemned by Seneca in his De tranquillitate animi. Like other Senecan monodies, Hippolytus’ anapaestic song therefore fulfills the task of representing the delirium of a character.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.