Aspects of the art of description in Latin literature

Jeskins, Patricia Ruth (1976) Aspects of the art of description in Latin literature. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

The concern of this thesis is to examine the uses and techniques of description (the 'statics' of literature) in a comprehensive range of Latin authors within the 'classical' period. Examination of evidence from Latin writers shows that there was a conscious literary device of description (evidentia, illustratio), whose essence was accumulation of detail, both static and dynamic, used for the purpose of factual clarity, audience response, structural variety. Static description (of inanimate objects and natural scenery, rather than human and animate topics) is singled out as the aspect for closer study. Its special stylistic features are suggested, and reasons for its composition considered: of intrinsic and. purely artistic value; as 'scientific' or technical information; as artistic expression; as decorative material to corroborate the main narrative.The main part of the thesis is a critical appreciation of selected passages (from authors ranging from Lucretius to Claudian), often comparatively considered; to examine the purpose of the author in writing the passage, its context, matter and ideas, the expression in vocabulary and style. For convenience the passages ace considered under the following topics: Vi_liu:; and other buildings; Terrestrial waters (springs, rivers, lakes, floods); Harbours; Groves and woods; Pictures on walls, tapestries etc; mountains, wild rocky scenery, entrances to Hell; Geographical descriptions; Caves. A pattern of stylistic devices emerges from this examination, together with evidence among Latin writers through the chosen period of an increased awareness and articulacy in the sphere of natural description. Historical, social and economic reasons for this advance are outlined in the final chapter.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics