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    Ovidremdeia

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    jimmorrison0608
    Ovid.Remedia

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    Ovidremdeia

    Uploaded by

    jimmorrison0608
    55 views2 pages
    Ovid.Remedia

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    Ovid.Remedia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    55 views2 pages

    Ovidremdeia

    Uploaded by

    jimmorrison0608
    Ovid.Remedia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Ovid's "Remedia Amoris" (The Cure for Love) is a didactic elegy that offers advice on

    how to overcome the pains of love. Written in the early 1st century CE, this work is a
    kind of sequel or counterpoint to Ovid's earlier "Ars Amatoria" (The Art of Love), in
    which he provided instruction on how to seduce and maintain romantic relationships. In
    contrast, Remedia Amoris focuses on how to escape the troubles and suffering of love
    —essentially, it is a guide on how to "cure" oneself of the emotional afflictions brought
    by romantic entanglements.

    Context and Structure

    Ovid's Remedia Amoris is written in elegiac couplets, a common form for love poetry
    in Latin literature. The poem is shorter than Ars Amatoria, consisting of about 814 lines.
    It can be seen as part of Ovid’s wider exploration of the themes of love, desire, and its
    consequences, but in this work, he shifts focus to the dangers and pain that love can
    cause and how one might extricate themselves from it.

    The poem is structured as a series of pieces of advice addressed to a general male


    audience, though some sections of the poem suggest that Ovid is also indirectly
    addressing women. The advice ranges from practical tips to more psychological or
    philosophical reflections on love.

    Key Themes and Advice

    1. Avoid Idleness: Ovid stresses that those who are suffering from love should
    keep themselves busy with other activities. He suggests that idleness breeds
    obsession and that staying active is one of the best ways to distract oneself from
    heartache.
    o Ovid’s advice here is practical: he encourages engaging in work, hunting,
    sports, and other pursuits that can occupy the mind and body.
    2. Distance Yourself: One of Ovid's main recommendations is to avoid places
    and people that remind the lover of the object of their affection. Physical
    distance, he argues, helps diminish emotional attachment over time.
    o He also suggests avoiding writing letters, engaging in conversations, or
    maintaining any connection that might reignite passion.
    3. Change of Scenery: The poet recommends traveling as a means to forget love.
    A change of environment can help diminish emotional attachment, as it
    separates the lover from constant reminders of the beloved.
    o Ovid’s emphasis on travel also aligns with the Roman culture of the
    time, where mobility (especially among the elite) was often a common
    way to seek new opportunities or escape problems.
    4. Rational Thinking: Ovid encourages lovers to analyze their feelings logically.
    He suggests that reflecting on the beloved’s flaws and focusing on their negative
    qualities can help weaken romantic feelings. By using reason over emotion, one
    can diminish the idealized view of the beloved and thus cure oneself of
    infatuation.
    5. Avoid Temptation: He warns against the things that might reignite the passion
    of love—attending social events, for example, where the beloved might be
    present, or indulging in romantic poetry, music, and art.
    o Ovid humorously advises against consuming alcohol, as it can weaken
    resolve and lead to irrational behavior in love.
    6. **Time as a He

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