Cleopatra as Fatale Monstrum ( Horace, Carm . 1. 37. 21)
1963; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 13; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1017/s0009838800001865
ISSN1471-6844
Autores Tópico(s)Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
ResumoThe pregnant phrase fatale monstrum comes at a crucial point in the third and longest of the three sentences of the ‘Cleopatra Ode’. Before it Cleopatra is being hissed from the stage of history with cries of disapproval; after it she is recalled to receive plaudit after plaudit for her courage and resolution. The phrase is emphasized by its position at the start of a stanza followed by a marked pause. Prima facie it is the climax of the vituperation, and has often so been taken. T. E. Page, for example, comments: ‘Horace speaks of Cleopatra as not human, but a hideous and portentous creature sent by destiny to cause horror and alarm.’
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