Odes 1.37 Cleopatra- Horace

When was the poem written?

23BC

Significance of the poem

focuses on Cleopatra's role in and after the battle of Actium

Who is the poem addressed to?

the reader, encouraging them to prepare for a feast

What is Horace's focus here?

Cleopatra - demonises her

"now's the time for drinking"

Celebration of Actium victory

"maddened queen"

"plotting the capitols and the empire's ruin"

Cleopatra as the enemy - unjustified actions

"her crowd of deeply-corrupted creatures"

Subjects are animals and insane

"turpitude"

depraved or wicked character or behaviour

"intoxicated by fortunes favour"

Cleopatra’s victories pure luck

"Scarcely a single ship escaped the flames"

Emphasises Cleopatra’s complete defeat

" pursuing her close as she fled Rome"

Actium bigger than in reality

Cleopatra scared

Enjambement

Continuation of a sentence without pause

Reflects lack of control

"To true fear"

Cleopatra completely afraid

"Capture that deadly monster"

Cleopatra a monster

"As the sparrow-hawk follows the gentle dove"

"Swift Hunter chases the hare"

Cleopatra vulnerable and helpless

Dove = Venus - doomed love

"Showed no sign of womanish fear at the sword"

Cleopatra impressive and stoic

"Calm face"

"With courage"

Why is Cleopatra presented as powerful?

Cleopatra a formidable enemy

"No ordinary woman, yet queen no longer, be led along in proud triumph"

In control of her fate but not able to defeat Octavian