Ovid, Amores 1.11 – The Messenger

Survey of Amores 1.11

Ovid writes a letter and sends it with a maid named Nape, hoping it will win over the girl he loves.

Theme: Mediation in Love

Nape plays the role of a female messenger, which highlights how love often depends on intermediaries in romantic pursuits.

Quote on Mediation in Love

“I, precor, et mea verba refer…” (“Go, I beg, and deliver my words…”) - emphasizes the reliance on intermediaries.

Device: Irony and Exaggeration

Ovid dramatizes the simple act of sending a letter by giving epic-level instructions for a trivial task, making it an emotional quest.

Review

R: 1.11 shows the humorous lengths a poet-lover will go to—using everyday tools like a maid or a wax tablet with theatrical intensity.