The literary topos of the 'hundred mouths' in Ovid

Authors

  • María Alejandra Rossi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34096/afc.v2i30.5956

Keywords:

Ovid, literary topos, hundred mouths, affected modesty, rhetoric

Abstract

The literary topos of the ‘hundred mouths’ is considered by rhetoric as a formula of the ineffable and as an expression of affected modesty. This common place appears in four works of Ovid (Ars amatoria, Metamorphoses, Fasti and Tristia); these works belong to different literary genres and production conditions. We will analyze these passages (Ars 1.435-436; Met. 8.533-535; Fast. 2.119-124; Tr. 1.5.53-56) in order to prove that Ovid’s use of this formula has a connecting function along the four works as well as guiding the reading: within the topic we notice a progression in the number of mouths that rises in each occurrence according to the chronological order of appearance of the works. 

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How to Cite

The literary topos of the ’hundred mouths’ in Ovid. (2019). Anales De Filología Clásica, 2(30), 161-175. https://doi.org/10.34096/afc.v2i30.5956