latin - messalina analysis

Messalina novo et quasi insano amore incensa est.

“novo” (“new”): suggests many other affairs - frivolous

Tacitus’ tone conveyed through “insano” (“insane)

“exarserat” (“become so inflamed”): fire imagery - T presents desire & danger together

nam in C. Silium, iuventutis Romanae pulcherrimum, ita exarserat

“C. Silium” (“Gaius Silius”): he was a consul designate - suggests his power

“iuventutis” (“man of the... youth”): technical term meaning age able to serve in army - implies he is admirable

“pulcherrimum” (“most handsome”): delayed for impact

“exarserat” (“become so inflamed”): fire imagery - T presents desire & danger together

ut Iuniam Silanam, nobilem feminam, matrimonio eius exturbaret

(incl. next flashcard)“matriomonio... exturbaret liberoque adultero potiretur” (“she drove out... from... marriage... and took possession of him as an adulterous lover free of a wife”): balance (noun, verb, noun, verb) - emphasises M’s activeness in disrupting S’s marriage

“exturbaret” (“drove out”): conveys T’s tone & therefore his opinion of M’s character

liberoque adultero potiretur.

(incl. prev. flashcard)“matriomonio... exturbaret liberoque adultero potiretur” (“she drove out... from... marriage... and took possession of him as an adulterous lover free of a wife”): balance (noun verb noun verb) - emphasises M’s activeness in disrupting S’s marriage

“liberoque adultero” (“adulterous lover free of a wife”): condensed - M could have affair with S as he’s divorced, but he is adulterous as she’s still married to C

neque Silius flagitii aut periculi nescius erat:

“necius erat” (“was unaware of”): litotes (deliberate understatement) - S was all too aware

“flagitii” (“scandal”): variatio - “facinoris” (“crime”)

sed intellexit exitium, si abnueret, fore certum

“exitium” (“death”): implies M would kill S if he denied - characterised as malicious

et, si consentiret, nonnullam facinoris celandi spem esse;

“nonnullam” (“some”): litotes - their scandalous behaviour meant their affair would likely be known

“nonnullam facinoris celandi spem” (“some hope of concealing the crime”): enclosing word order - “facinoris celandi” (“concealing the crime”) placed in middle of phrase to reflect their desire to hide the affair

“facinoris” (“crime”): variatio - “flagitii” (“scandal”)

simulque se magna praemia accepturum.

“magna praemia” (“great rewards”): hints at M’s bribery - suggests relationship based on geed; vague - T creates mystery surrounding what S will receive

igitur placuit neglegere futura praesentibus frui.

“neglegere futura praesentibus frui” (“to disregard the future and to enjoy the present”): chiasmus (verb noun noun verb) - highlights contrast between future & present

presents S as impulsive & careless

illa non furtim sed multis cum comitibus

“non... sed” (“not... but”): contrast - highlights M’s excessive behaviour

ventitat domum,

“ventitat” (“came repeatedly”): frequentative (going over a long period of time) - excessive; historic present - makes M’s actions seem ongoing & vivid

egredienti adhaeret,

“adhaeret” (“clung onto”): historic present - makes M’s actions seem ongoing & vivid

(incl. next flashcard) “adhaeret, dat” (“clung onto... gave”): asyndeton - vivid, pacey

dat opes honoresque;

(incl. prev. flashcard) “adhaeret, dat” (“clung onto... gave”): asyndeton - vivid, pacey

“dat” (“gave”): historic present - makes M’s actions seem ongoing & vivid

“opes honoresque” (“money and honours”): bribery; abuse of power - wealth belonged to C, “honores” (“honours”) were the emperor’s to give

postremo servi, liberti, paratus principis apud adulterum saepe videbantur.

“servi, liberti” (“slaves, freedmen”): affair is public, obvious, excessive

“servi, liberti, paratus principis” (“slaves, freedmen, the belongings of the emperor”): tricolon crescens - builds momentum, emphasising how scandalous the affair is

“paratus principis” (“the belongings of the emperor”): alliteration of ‘p’ - shows M is dissolute & conveys T’s disapproval

C is insidiously undermined

at Claudius matrimonii sui ignarus.

Claudius is a sensor: responsible for ethics & morality therefore blameworthy

iam Messalina propter facilitatem adulteriorum ad novas libidines versa est.

“adulteriorum” (“adulteries”): plural suggests multiple relationships - T exaggerates

“novas” (“new”): litotes - insinuating; Tacitean way to say “unheard of”

“versa est” (“was turned”): M is passive - suggests she is controlled by her scandalous actions

Silius, sive fatali insania an ipsa pericula remedium imminentium periculorum ratus,

“fatali insania” (“fatal madness”): ablative of cause; idea S was sent madness by fate suggests inevitable destruction

“insania” (“madness”): link to line 1 “insano amore” (“insane love”)

“pericula” & “periculorum”: polyptoton (same root) - reinforces central theme of danger

“remedium imminentium periculorum”: repetition of ‘m’ - suggests gloom, hints at future danger & no escape

indirect statement: by not stating fact but exploring S’s internal reasoning, T invites reader to judge his rationale

variato (giving 2 alternatives) - mirrors S’s uncertain motives

epigrammatic (style of epigram = saying expressing idea in amusing way): clever, amusing

abrumpi dissimulationem urgebat:

“dissimulationem” (“concealement”): reemphasises idea of secrecy

quippe non exspectandum, dum princeps senesceret.

“quippe” (“for obviously”): T’s tone is sarcastic - mocks their motives

se caelibem, orbum, nuptiis et adoptando Britannico paratum.

“caelibem, orbum... paratum” (“unmarried, childless... ready”): tricolon crescens - T gives S’ reasons why M should make the affair public

“adoptando Britannico” (“to adopt Britannicus”): could only if happen C died/M&C got divorced - presumptuous

eandem Messalinae potentiam mansuram esse, addita securitate,

“addita securitate” (“with added security”): ablative absolute; tacking on (adding more info. to complete sentence) - highlights her delusion

si praevenirent Claudium,

(nothing)

qui insidiis incautus sed ad iram celer esset.

“insidiis incautus” (“unsuspicious of treachery”): compound words; brings ideas together - emphasises how unsuspecting he is, creates sympathy

“insidiis incautus... ad iram celer” (“unsuspicious of treachery... quick to anger”): balance (noun adjective noun adjective) - highlights contrast between C’s juxtaposing character traits: gullibility & short-tempered

Messalina, non amore in maritum,

“non amore in maritum”: ablative of cause; litotes - exposes her coldness; sarcastic tone from T

sed verita ne Silius summa adeptus se sperneret,

“verita” (“fearing”): causes reader to question why M is afraid of S

“sed verita ne Silius summa adeptus se sperneret”: sibilance - disgust (ambiguous - from S/T)

diu haesitavit;

T gives 2 options for M’s reasoning - good & bad (doesn’t love husband, fear of rejection by S): damns M’s character

sed tandem persuasum.

“persuasum” (“persuaded”): M is passive - T implies her avoidance of responsibility

nomen enim matrimonii concupivit

“nomen... matrimonii” (“the name of marriage”): only a nominal marriage - no emotion/connection

(with flashcard 31) “matrimonii” (“of marriage”): variatio - “nuptiarum” (“of marriage”)

ob magnitudinem infamiae.

emphasises M’s dishonourable nature - reason she complies with S’s wish to make the affair public

nec ultra morata quam dum sacrificii gratia Claudius Ostiam proficisceretur,

“nec ultra... quam dum” (“only... until”): many words to connote rush

“sacrificii gratia” (“to make a sacrifice”): C is the pontifex maximus (chief priest) - serious, religious role

cuncta nuptiarum sollemnia celebrat.

“sollemnia” (“ceremonies”): gravitas - T implies a false formality in M & S’s union, he mocks C’s ignorance by describing an affair with such a formal word

“celebrat” (“celebrated”): historic present - makes M’s disloyalty more vivid & ongoing

(with flashcard 28) “nuptiarum” (“of marriage”): variatio - “matrimonii” (“of marriage”)

igitur domus principis inhorruit,

“domus principis” (“the house of the emperor”): meaning members of imperial staff

“domus principis inhorruit” (“the house of the emperor shuddered”): personification - vivid

maximeque ei qui potentiam habebant timuerunt ne res verterentur:

“ei qui potentiam habebant” (“those who held power”): C’s closest advisors - have most to lose in a coup

“maxime” (“greatly”): emphasises extent of their worry

spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrocitate sceleris persuasissent,

(with flashcard 39) “Claudio” (“Claudius”): variatio - “Caesar” (“Claudius”)

“Claudius” & “Caesar”: balanced placement of names (C at beginning of clause both times) - M’s destruction is dependent on C’s reaction

Messalinam posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatam;

“sine quaestione” (“without a trial”): trial would bring publicity & delay, want to avoid this

“damnatam” (“having been condemned”): emphatic positioning - emphasises feelings of disapproval towards M

sed periculum esse ne ille defensionem audiret,

(with next flashcard) 2 reasons for fear: C is gullible & weak-willed

neve clausae aures etiam confitenti non essent.

(with prev. flashcard) 2 reasons for fear: C is gullible & weak-willed

“clausae” (“closed”): promoted (in word order) - emphasises worry C will listen to M

Narcissus, occasiones quaerens,

“Narcissus”: freedman, principal secretary, chief advisor, doesn’t like M

“occasiones quaerens” (“looking for opportunities”): N eager to reveal M’s behaviour

cum Caesar diu apud Ostiam moraretur,

(with flashcard 34) “Caesar” (“Claudius”): variatio - “Claudio” (“Claudius”)

“Claudius” & “Caesar”: balanced placement of names (C at beginning of clause both times) - M’s destruction is dependent on C’s reaction

duas eius paelices largitione et promissis perpulit delationem subire.

“paelices” (“concubines”): N avoiding C’s anger & blame in finding more evidence by using prostitutes

“paelices... promissis perpulit”: plosives - N’s strong determination

“promissis” (“promises”): that is, increased influence & power

“perpulit” (“compelled”): forceful & strong compound verb

exim Calpurnia (id alteri paelici nomen),

(nothing)

ubi datum est secretum,

“secretum” (“secret”): idea of secrecy & deception

ad genua Caesaris provoluta

“ad genua” (“to the knees”): dramatic detail - supplication (begging for something, common practise)

“provoluta” (“falling”): dramatic verb

nupsisse Messalinam Silio exclamat;

“nupisse” (“had married”): emphatic positioning - enormity of offence; verb only used for women marrying - M is the agent, T blaming M (usually man is agent of marriage & woman led into marriage)

“nupisse Messalinam Silio”: M & S juxtaposed with “nupisse” (“had married”) - emphasises contrast between appearance of legitimacy & scandalous reality

“exclamat” (“exclaimed”): historic present - more vivid, dramatic, happening in the moment

altera paelice haec confirmante,

“altera paelice” (“other concubine”): called Cleopatra; both concubines associated with Caesar - invokes history of Rome: shows how bad situation is through allusion to past & longevity of ruling family

Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat.

“postulat” (“demanded”): historic present - more vivid, dramatic, happening in the moment

qui 'discidiumne tuum' inquit 'novisti?

“discidium” (“divorce”): relatively common in Rome even for women - although husband still had to agree

nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites;

“vidit” (“saw”): singular verb - emphasises unity in witnessing scandal: collective shame, highlights publicity, hyperbolic effect

“populus... senatus... milites” (“people... senate... soldiers”): tricolon crescens - ascending order of importance (in eyes of C); includes whole population of Rome

ac nisi celeriter agis,

“celeriter” (“quickly”): creates sense of urgency

tenet urbem maritus.'

“tenet” (“(will) hold”): promoted verb; present tense - more immediate

(with flashcard 57) “maritus” (“husband”): “marito” (“husband”) further on refers to C; noun delayed - emphasises M’s husband is no longer C

word order reversed: mirrors state of affairs reversed - S is M’s husband & in control of Rome

non solum rumor interea,

“rumor” (“rumour”): personified - references Virgil’s Aeneid

(with flashcard 60) “interea” (“meanwhile”): repetition - “interim” (“meanwhile”): continuity of events & their effects reflected by continuity of T’s vocab.

sed undique nuntii

“undique” (“from all directions”): emphasises how many people know about the rumour

ad Messalinam contendunt,

“condendunt” (“hurried”): historic present - creates sense of urgency, dramatises panic of lovers (M & S)

qui Claudium omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultioni adferrent.

“omnia cognovisse... venire promptum” (“knew everything... ready for revenge”): chiasmus (adjective infinitive infinitive adjective) - T’s structure contrasts M’s disorder & chaos

“promptum ultoni” (“ready for revenge”): creates sense of danger

igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metui ad forum digrediuntur.

“Messalina Lucullianos in hortos” (“she (Messalina) to the gardens of Lucullus”): gardens acquired by M after she killed owner

“Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius... ad forum” (“she (Messalina) to the gardens of Lucullus, he (Silius)... to the forum”): balance (same grammatical construction) - emphasises physical & symbolic separation of lovers

“dissimulando metui” (“to conceal his fear”): dative of purpose

illa tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent,

“consilium eximerent” (“were taking away her ability to plan”): T describes her inability to scheme - foreshadows her idea will be unsuccessful

suggests M’s instinctive course of action is to make plans

ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit,

“aspici” (“be seen”): M believes sight is integral to being forgiven - able to manipulate C to increase his sympathy for her, calculating

ironic: her plan doesn’t have good outcome (ends in her death)

(with flashcard 50) “marito” (“husband”): “maritus” (“husband”) previously refers to S; T doesn’t specify C - reminder that she has 2 husbands, emphasises her scandalousness

quod saepe ei fuerat subsidium;

“saepe” (“often”): emphasises M’s repeated reliance on C

“subsidium” (“life-line”): reference to sexual & political power M held over C - villainises her & increases pathos for C

misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.

ironic lack of love from M: manipulates C to increase his sympathy for her, calculating

uses children in attempt to solve her problems - emphasises manipulation

atque interim, tribus omnino comitantibus,

(with flashcard 51) “interim” (“meanwhile”): repetition - “interea” (“meanwhile”): continuity of events & their effects reflected by continuity of T’s vocab.

“tribus omnino comitantibus” (“with only three companions”): M previously at riotous party - contrast

“tribus... comitantibus” (“three... companions”): homoioteleuton (ending (“ibus”) repeated) - emphasises her lack of companions

- tam repens erat solitudo -

“solitudo” (“desolation”): abstract noun - emphasises solitude

postquam per urbem pedibus ivit,

“postquam per... pedibus”: plosives - conveys anger & disgust

vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat.

“vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur” (“a cart, with which the gardens’ rubbish was removed”): shows M’s downfall - previously in palace, contrasts rubbish cart

(with flashcards 64 & 65) “purgamenta hortorum... viam... nullam misericordiam... commovit... flagitiorum deformitas” vs “civibus commovit”: ‘m’ sounds = pity, contrasts harsh guttural alliteration (‘c’) = dislike of M, emphasises isolation - contrast could evoke contrasting feelings in C

“intrat” (“entered”): historic present - vivid, ongoing

nullam misericordiam civibus commovit

(with flashcards 64 & 65) “purgamenta hortorum... viam... nullam misericordiam... commovit... flagitiorum deformitas” vs “civibus commovit”: ‘m’ sounds = pity, contrasts harsh guttural alliteration (‘c’) = dislike of M, emphasises isolation - contrast could evoke contrasting feelings in C

quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.

(with flashcards 64 & 65) “purgamenta hortorum... viam... nullam misericordiam... commovit... flagitiorum deformitas” vs “civibus commovit”: ‘m’ sounds = pity, contrasts harsh guttural alliteration (‘c’) = dislike of M, emphasises isolation - contrast could evoke contrasting feelings in C

et iam erat in aspectu Claudii

(nothing)

clamitabatque ut audiret Octaviae et Britannici matrem.

(with flashcard 68) “clamatibat” (“kept on demanding loudly”): imperfect tense contrasts perfect tense “obstrepuit” (“shouted her down”) - incomplete vs complete (collected); frequentative - frantic feeling

“Octaviae et Britannici matrem” (“the mother of Octavia and Britannicus”): M uses children to evoke pity in C - manipulative, controlling

T omits O & B’s emotions - suggests M disregards their feelings

Narcissus tamen obstrepuit,

(with flashcard 67) “obstrepuit” (“shouted her down”): perfect tense contrasts imperfect tense “clamatibat” (“kept on demanding loudly”) - complete (collected) vs incomplete; plosives - aggression, N asserts dominance

Silius et nuptias referens;

(nothing)

simul codicillos libidinum indices tradidit,

“codicillos” (“notebook”): N prepared, contrasts M’s frantic worry; entire notebook emphasises magnitude of crime

“codicillos libidinum indices” (“a notebook as proof of her affairs”): enclosing word order - “libidinum” (“affairs”) surrounded, trapped by proof, minimises her chance of escape

quibus visus Caesaris averteret.

“averteret” (“distract”): manipulative, controls C’s eyes - danger of M’s beauty

nec multo post urbem ingredienti offerebantur liberi,

“nec multo post” (“not long after”): short words - highlights speed, lots of events happening in rapid succession

(with flashcard 73) “offerebantur” (“tried to present themselves”): imperfect tense contrasts perfect tense “iussit” (“ordered”) - incomplete vs complete (collected); idea of sacrifice offered by M to C

sed Narcissus amoveri eos issuit.

“amoveri” (“to be removed”): disrespectful - the children are royalty; heartless towards children - emphasises determination to bring M down

(with flashcard 72) “iussit” (“ordered”): perfect tense contrasts imperfect tense “offerebantur” (“tried to present themselves”) - complete (collected) vs incomplete

mirum inter haec silentium Claudii:

“mirum” (“strange”): emphatic position - highlights abnormality

“mirum inter haec silentium” (“among these things there was a strange silence”): enclosing word order - “strange silence” permeating surroundings

C is passive, speechless, silent

omnia liberto oboediebat;

“omnia” (“in everything”): accusative of respect

“liberto” (“freedman”): inversion of power

C used to be wholly trusting in M, now fully in freedman

C is passive, obedient

qui contionem militum in castris paravit.

“contionem militum” (“an assembly of soldiers”): audience to see S’s downfall, C passive, N orchestrating everything

apud eos praemonente Narcisso

“praemonente” (“forewarned”): shows N’s forethought; N ultimately in control

princeps pauca verba fecit:

(with flashcard 79) “princeps pauca” & “continuus dehinc clamor”: plosive & guttural alliteration - suggests C’s stutter & hesitation

continuus dehinc clamor militum nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium.

“continuus dehinc clamor” (“from then on there was a continuous clamour”): “dehinc” (“from then on”) surrounded - reflects continuity & all-encompassing nature of clamour

(with flashcard 78) “continuus dehinc clamor” & “princeps pauca”: guttural & plosive alliteration - suggests C’s stutter & hesitation; guttural alliteration - harshness that awaits M & S

“nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium” (“the names of the guilty people and their punishments”): scandalous details - increases interest & feelings of loyalty of soldiers

ductus Silius ad tribunal non defensionem, non moras temptavit,

“non defensionem, non moras” (“not... a defence, nor delaying tactics”): balance, anaphora, repetition, asyndeton - emphasises S’s lack of hope

no detail of arrest - speeds up pace

sed precatus est ut mors acceleraretur.

S’s desire for his death to be quick shows his state of mind: given up, knows it is inevitable, no escape - lessens sympathy for S, not blameless

usual punishment for treason = beheading

T doesn’t mention how S dies, but we can infer he was beheaded

interim Messalina Lucullianis in hortis prolatare vitam,

“Lucullianis in hortis” (“in the gardens of Lucullus”): ironic - in garden that belonged to someone she killed

“prolatare” (“prolonged”): historic infinitive - used by Latin authors to heighten excitement, urgency & speed

“prolatare vitam” (“prongled her life”): contrasts S - quick death, surrendered

componere preces, nonnulla spe et ira:

“componere” (“she composed”): historic infinitive - used by Latin authors to heighten excitement, urgency & speed

“nonnulla spe et ira” (“with some hope and anger”): tacking on; hopes C will listen

“spe” & “ira” (“hope” & “anger”): contrasting emotions - reflect her conflicted mental state

tantam superbiam etiam tum gerebat.

“superbiam” (“arrogance”): reference to Tarquinius Superbus (regal excessive pride) - elevates what M’s arrogance by comparing it to larger problem

“etiam tum” (“even then”): emphasises enormity of M’s conceit

ac nisi caedem eius Narcissus properavisset,

(with flashcard 86) “Narcissus properavisset, vertisset pernicies” (“Narcissus had not hastened... death would have turned”): chiasmus (noun verb verb noun) - mirrors N’s logic

“properavisset” (“had (not) hastened”): emphasises urgency

vertusset pernicies in accusatorem.

(with flashcard 85) “Narcissus properavisset, vertisset pernicies” (“Narcissus had not hastened... death would have turned”): chiasmus (noun verb verb noun) - mirrors N’s logic

“pernicies” (“death”): emphasises danger

nam Claudius domum regressus,

(nothing)

ubi cena vinoque incalcuit,

idea of C doing homely activities creates pathos

imperavit ut femina misera

(with flashcard 95) “imperavit” (“ordered”) & “imperatorem” (“emperor”): polyptoton - emphasises idea of power

“femina misera” (“the wretched woman”): T finally gives idea of C’s feelings towards M - pity as result of emotional confusion

(hoc enim verbo Claudium usum esse ferunt)

ad causam dicendam postridie adesset.

quod ubi Narcissus audivit et languescere iram redire amorem vidit,

timebat, si moraretur, propinquam noctem et uxorii cubiculi memoriam;

igitur prorumpit denuntiatque centurionibus et tribuno, qui aderat, exsequi caedem:

ita imperatorem iubere.