Ovid's Metamorphoses
Latin 16: Latin Literature in the Augustan Age
Ovid’s Metamorphoses
Spring 2009
Instructor: Christopher Trinacty
Chap. 103
Office Hours: MWF 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Office: Grosvenor House 12
E-mail: ctrinacty@amherst.edu
Telephone: x8126
Course Description
This class focuses on Ovid’s Metamorphoses and involves the translation of tales from the first five books. We will investigate in depth some of the most famous stories from antiquity (Apollo and Daphne, Echo and Narcissus, Phaethon) and concentrate on Ovid’s poetic language, the purpose of his epic, and the theme of metamorphosis. In addition we will read the epic in its entirety in English in order to develop a more comprehensive view of the Metamorphoses, Ovid’s political stance, and the Callimachean nature of the project.
Course Goals
I hope that the intermediate Latin student approaching this course will further develop his/her Latin grammar, vocabulary, and understanding of Latin literature. In addition, we will spend time discussing the place of the Metamorphoses in relation to the Aeneid and Augustan literature, the influence of the Metamorphoses for later literature and the arts, and Ovid’s life and times.
Grading and Evaluation
***The most important aspect of this class is in-class translation and discussion therefore every absence will negatively impact your grade.
Attendance and participation: 40%
Midterm: 20%
“Ovid’s Other Works” Project: 10%
Quizzes: 10%
Final: 20%
Required Books
Anderson, W.S. Ovid’s Metamorphoses Books 1-5. University of Oklahoma Press.
Mandelbaum, A. The Metamorphoses of Ovid. Harvest Books.
Recommended Books
A good Latin grammar is necessary (Allen and Greenough, Woodcock)
Schedule
Jan. 26: Introduction to Ovid, metre, and the Metamorphoses.
Jan. 28: Translate Met. 1.1-25.
Jan. 30: Translate Met. 1.26-60. Read all of Met. 1 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
Feb. 2: Translate Met. 1.61-112.
Feb. 4: Translate Met. 1.113-150.
Feb. 6: Quiz #1. Translate Met. 1.151-180. Read all of Met. 2 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
Feb. 9: Translate Met. 1.181-219.
Feb. 11: Translate Met. 1.220-252. Read Feldherr’s “Metamorphosis in the Metamorphoses”.
Feb. 13: Ovid’s Other Works: Amores. Translate the assigned passage of the Amores. Read all of Met. 3 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
Feb. 16: Translate Met. 1.452-486.
Feb. 18: Translate Met. 1.487-524.
Feb. 20: Quiz #2. Translate Met. 1.525-567. Read all of Met. 4 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
Feb. 23: Translate Met. 1.747-779.
Feb. 25: Translate Met. 2.1-46.
Feb. 27: Translate Met. 2.47-89. Read all of Met. 5 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
March 2: Ovid’s Other Works: Ars Amatoria. Translate the assigned passage.
March 4: Translate Met. 2.90-135.
March 6: Quiz #3. Translate Met. 2.136-170. Read all of Met. 6 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
March 9: Translate Met. 2.171-226.
March 11: Translate Met. 2.227-271.
March 13: Midterm
Spring Break (Please read all of Met. 7-8 in translation over break)
March 23: Discussion of Met. 7-8. Translate Met. 2.272-302.
March 25: Translate Met. 2.303-328; 3.131-154.
March 27: Translate Met. 3.155-185. Read all of Met. 9 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
March 30: Translate Met. 3.131-170.
April 1: Translate Met. 3.171-227.
April 3: No Class. Read all of Met. 10 in translation, and write a short paper (2-3 pages) discussing how the figures of Orpheus and Pygmalion act as exempla for the figure of the artist. What can (or can't) they achieve? What are the reactions of others to their works/songs? How do they mirror previous artist figures found in the Metamorphoses? You may want to glance at the beginning of Met. 11 for the death of Orpheus as well. Paper due via e-mail by 5:00 p.m.
April 6: Translate Met. 3.228-252; 339-358.
April 8: Translate Met. 3.359-419.
April 10: Quiz #4. Translate Met. 3.420-436. Read all of Met. 11 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
April 13: Translate Met. 3.437-473.
April 15: Ovid’s Other Works: Heroides. Translate the assigned passage.
April 17: Translate Met. 3.474-510. Read all of Met. 12 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
April 20: Translate Met. 4.55-92.
April 22: Translate Met. 4.93-127.
April 24: Quiz #5. Translate Met. 4.128-166. Read all of Met. 13 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
April 27: Ovid’s Other Works: Fasti. Translate the assigned passage.
April 29: Translate Met. 4.416-454.
May 1: Translate Met. 4.455-480. Read all of Met. 14 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
May 4: Translate Met. 4.481-524.
May 6: Ovid’s Other Works: Tristia. Translate the assigned passage.
May 8: Translate Met. 4.525-562. Read all of Met. 15 in translation, and be prepared to discuss.
May 14: Final Exam (Chap 103) 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Ovid’s Other Works
This project will enable each of you to become more familiar with one of Ovid’s other works and present your findings to the class. These are the possible topics: Amores, Ars Amatoria, Remedia Amoris, Heroides, Fasti, Tristia, and Epistulae Ex Ponto. Each student will be responsible for an oral report (15 minutes) on the topic as well as providing the class a representative portion (or selection) of the work to translate for that day. The student will be a co-teacher for the day as we translate the selected piece. This will take up the entire class period. Please come see me for bibliography and suggestions before you give your presentation.