How to Feel Again: Tibullus 1.5 and the Emotionalisation of Recipients

Main Article Content

Clemens Wurzinger

Abstract

As early as 1979, Cairns described one of the most important characteristics of elegies of Tibullus: they play with the recipients’ expectations, as they only pass on information to the recipients in a gradual manner. This essay attempts to apply this concept not only to Tibullus’ elegy 1.5, but above all to the transition from Elegy 1.4 to 1.5. The focus will be on the ‘confusing’ and religious structures of the text, as these are clearly used to influence the emotional state of the recipients. A brief insight into the field of Emotion Studies together with Cairns’ concept of “delayed information” will help to focus on the first 36 verses of the elegy and their attempts to create a ‘confusing relationship’ with the recipients.

Article Details

How to Cite
Wurzinger, C. (2024). How to Feel Again: Tibullus 1.5 and the Emotionalisation of Recipients. Sapiens Ubique Civis, 5, 171–188. https://doi.org/10.14232/suc.2024.5.171-188
Section
Articles
Author Biography

Clemens Wurzinger, University of Graz

studied Classics (Latin and Greek) and History at the University of Graz (2014-2021). He is currently writing his doctoral thesis on the first book of the Augustan poet Albius Tibullus as part of the International Graduate School (IGS) ‘Resonant Self-World Relations in Ancient and Modern Socio-Religious Practices’ (University of Graz/ MWK Erfurt). His research interests are the application of modern literary theories to ancient texts (Performativity, Emotion Studies and Reader- response Criticism) and Greek and Roman Elegy (Early Greek Elegy and Roman Love Elegy).