THE INFLUENCING ROLE OF LUCILIUS` SATIRE ONTO THE ROMAN REPUBLICAN SCENE Cover Image

THE INFLUENCING ROLE OF LUCILIUS` SATIRE ONTO THE ROMAN REPUBLICAN SCENE
THE INFLUENCING ROLE OF LUCILIUS` SATIRE ONTO THE ROMAN REPUBLICAN SCENE

Author(s): Roxana Lazarescu
Subject(s): Literary Texts, Studies of Literature, Philology, Theory of Literature
Published by: Editura Arhipelag XXI
Keywords: satire; mocking; influence; politics; Lucilius;

Summary/Abstract: The present paper seeks to examine how Lucilius` individual instances had functioned in the socio political context of his satires. In the time of Roman Republic Lucilius developed the poetical genre of satire into a socio-political tool capable of entertaining and harm. The bidirectional target is reached my using a harsh tone in the poetical intention of mocking the current state of the society and its individuals. Satire`s predilection for choosing individuals has become a Lucilianic label, where the critical approach is regarded by the use of poetical irony, persona-construction, rhetorical posturing, and thinly veiled autobiography. Lucilius` directness is defined through a clear demarcation between enemies and friends, a literary strategy used to demarcate the auctorial position in relation with the political environment and also to persuade the audience in a desired direction. Literary patronage or a close friendship of the poet may lead to a critical investigation of satire`s role into the contemporaneous political environment. Therefore, the satirical fragments of Lucilius are meant to be analyzed in accordance to the poets` political position in order to demonstrate that early Roman satire had the intention to influence the public perception. A more nuanced understanding of satire`s incipits will facilitated the involvement of mocking literature into the branch of influencing literature.

  • Issue Year: 2020
  • Issue No: 20
  • Page Range: 1241-1246
  • Page Count: 6
  • Language: English