A STOIC REMEDY FOR DISEASED EARS (PERSIUS 5.86)

  • J.C. Zietsman Stellenbosch University

Abstract

In his fifth satire Persius uses the metaphor of the cleansed ear (aurem mordaci lotus aceto, line 86) to convey his message that Stoicism should be used as the remedy for cleansing the diseased ears of mankind. This metaphor also appears in Satire 1 and is there interwoven with an ear motif ridiculing contemporary literary style and judgement. The purpose of this paper is to study the poet's use of the ear motif and metaphor in Satires 1 and 5 and to ascertain the importance which Persius attached to these references.
Published
2014-03-30
Section
Articles