OVID: Advice to a rejected lover

si non accipiet scriptum inlectumque remittet,

Translation:
"If she does not accept your letter and sends it back unread,"

Stylistic Point:

• Chiasmus (ABBA structure): The verb-noun-adjective-verb pattern creates a mirror effect, reflecting the physical movement of the letter: sent → returned in the same enclosed form. The letter is unopened, preserving its contents, just as the chiasmus encloses meaning within its structure.

• Contrast: The juxtaposition of accipiet (accept) and remittet (send back) heightens the sense of rejection. The hopeful action (accipiet) is immediately overturned by its opposite (remittet), reinforcing the theme of rejection and frustration.

• Metaphor: The letter itself becomes symbolic of the lover’s emotions, which remain unread and unacknowledged.

lecturam spera propositumque tene.

Translation:
"Hope that she will read it and hold to your resolve."

Stylistic Point:

• Juxtaposition: The contrast between the uncertain hope (spera – "hope she will read") and the imperative certainty (tene – "hold your resolve") suggests emotional tension. The lover must navigate between optimism and determination.

• Ellipsis: The phrase lecturam spera is concise, omitting esse (i.e., "hope that she will be reading it"). This makes the line more punchy and impactful, reflecting the lover’s anxious anticipation.

• Interlocking word order: ABAB, presents both sides as important, to hold onto your resolve and to hold onto hope. Both are needed for success argues Ovid.

tempore difficiles veniunt ad aratra iuvenci,

Translation:
"In time, even stubborn young oxen come to the plow,"

Stylistic Point:

• Metaphor (Love as Agriculture: "Veniunt ad aratra" (come to the plow) suggests that just as animals are eventually tamed, a lover may become more receptive over time.

• Hyperbaton (Unusual Word Order): Difficiles veniunt ad aratra iuvenci instead of the expected difficiles iuvenci veniunt ad aratra. By delaying iuvenci (oxen) until the end, Ovid initially presents difficiles (stubborn) as an abstract idea before linking it to the oxen. This mirrors the process of love: first, resistance is noticed (difficiles), then transformation occurs (veniunt), and finally, the subject of the metaphor is fully revealed (iuvenci).

tempore lenta pati frena docentur equi.

Translation:
"In time, horses are taught to accept constant rein."

Stylistic Point:

• Parallelism & Repetition ("tempore"): The repetition of "tempore" (in time) mirrors the patient process of change in both oxen (aratra) and horses (frena).

• ABAB Interlocking words: Structure: verb (pati) – noun (frena) – verb (docentur) – noun (equi). The inverted word order encloses the key idea (frena, "bridle"), much like the bridle itself restrains the horse. This grammatical structure reinforces the theme of gradual submission.

• Metaphor (Love as Horse Training): Just as a horse learns to accept control, a reluctant lover can learn to yield to affection. Importance of patience: Lenta (slow) vs. docentur (are taught) creates a contrast between stubbornness and progress, reinforcing the transformative power of patience.

ferreus assiduo consumitur anulus usu,

Translation:
"An iron ring is worn away by constant use.."

Stylistic Point:

• Metaphor: The iron ring represents something seemingly strong and unchangeable, yet time and repetition erode it. This serves as a metaphor for persistence—even the hardest things give way under sustained effort.

• Interlocking word order: The consumitur encased right in the centre of the ring, just like a finger is encased by a ring. The ABCBA structure highlights the opposite and emphasises how persistence is needed.

• Alliteration: The "s" sounds in assiduo consumitur usu create a soft, repetitive effect, mimicking the slow wearing down of metal.

interit assidua vomer aduncus humo.

Translation:
"A curved ploughshare will be ruined through constant use in the Earth."

Stylistic Point:

• Metaphor: The plowshare (vomer) represents persistence and labor, while the soil (humo) represents resistance or obstacles. Just as constant use wears down the plow, continuous effort can soften even the most resistant heart or situation.

• Word Order & Emphasis:

  "interit" (perishes) is placed first → creating an immediate focus on the idea of gradual destruction.

  "assidua" (constant) modifies humo (earth) → reinforcing time and persistence as the key forces of change.

  "vomer aduncus" (curved plowshare) placed near "humo" (earth) highlights the direct interaction between force and resistance.

  “humo” (ground) is last emphasising how insignificant resistance is.

• Alliteration: "interit assidua" (repeated "i" sounds) → creates a flowing, wearing-down effect, mimicking erosion

quid magis est saxo durum, quid mollius unda?

Translation:
"What is harder than rock? What is softer than water?"

Stylistic Point:

• Parallelism & Repetition ("quid magis est"): The mirroring structure of the two clauses creates a balanced contrast, emphasizing the stark opposition between hardness (saxo) and softness (unda). This repetition increases rhetorical impact and makes the statement memorable.

• Juxtaposition (Opposites): "saxo" (rock, hardness) vs. "unda" (water, softness) → This contrast symbolizes the paradox that softness (persistence) can ultimately overcome hardness (obstacles).

• Metaphor: Rock represents rigidity, resistance, or difficulty, while water represents persistence, fluidity, and adaptability.

dura tamen molli saxa cavantur aqua.

Translation:
"Yet hard rocks are hollowed out by soft water."

Stylistic Point:

• Word Order & Emphasis: "dura tamen" at the start → Emphasizes the hardness of rock as the primary challenge. "molli aqua" at the end → Leaves the reader with the power of softness and persistence as the final thought.

• Metaphor: This is a natural metaphor for persistence overcoming obstacles. Ovid is suggesting that, just as water slowly carves through stone, patience and consistent effort can wear down resistance in love, emotions, or life.

• Juxtaposition (Contrasts): "dura" (hard) vs. "molli" (soft) → Highlights the unexpected power of softness over strength. "saxa" (rocks) vs. "aqua" (water) → Reinforces the idea that persistence leads to change.

• Repetition: of the descriptions of the saxum (rock) as dura (hard) and mollis (soft) for water (although 2 synonyms for water are used: it is not repeated). Emphasises the surprising win of the soft water over the hard rock.

Penelopen ipsam, persta modo, tempore vinces:

Translation:
"Even Penelope herself—just persevere, and with time, you will conquer."

Stylistic Point:

• Historical Allusion: "Penelopen ipsam" → Reference to Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus, who resisted suitors for 20 years. She symbolizes unyielding loyalty—suggesting that even the most steadfast person can eventually be won over.

• Word order: The start with Penelopen ipsam emphasises this point and the vinces that you will get at the end.

• Imperatives: Examples such as persta (persevere!) and vinces (you will win!), emphasise the certainty.

• Temporal emphasis: tempore with time is repeated here.

capta vides sero Pergama, capta tamen.

Translation:
"You see, Troy was captured after a long time but still captured."

Stylistic Point:

• Historical Allusion (Troy’s Fall): "Pergama" (Troy) represents something seemingly unconquerable. Even though Troy resisted the Greeks for ten years, it eventually fell. The comparison to Penelope suggests that no resistance lasts forever.

• Repetition: The capta is repeated twice which emphasises the victory and encourages the reader to pursue their own victory.