MAR: Lesson - What is an Epigram?

Image: a portrait bust of the Roman poet Martial.What is an Epigram?

In this module, we will be working with the poet Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis), whose poetry set the standard for a particular style called the epigram. An epigram is a type of poem, utilizing brevity and wit, often written in elegiac couplets. The goal of the epigram was to satirize or draw attention to some aspect of a person or society that was deserving of scorn. Epigrams could be as short as two lines, with a quick jab, or could be several lines, leading up to the main point. This portrait bust of Martial was sculpted by Juan Cruz Melero (1910-1986).

Martial was considered one of the best when it came to pointing out the flaws of society. His poems used strong imagery and pointed criticisms to make points about what was wrong with Rome and its most prominent citizens. Because we are reading these so far past the point of writing, these poems can feel a bit like bullying, but in every example, Martial was attempting to call out the powerful for being foolish, or the wealthy for being cruel.

One last thing to consider about Martial's epigrams: much of what Martial wrote was based on his perspective as a "country boy" - he grew up outside of Rome and the contrast of city life and country life is at the center of much of his writing. Do such divides still exist in our modern world? How do any divisions like this appear in modern cultures?

Meter

Almost all of Martial's epigrams are written in elegiac couplets. To review, an elegiac couplet is a pair of lines, in which the first is in dactylic hexameter and the second is a special pentameter, with two sections of two and a half feet each, with a caesura (pause) in between the two halves. Let's look at one of Martial's famous poems (Poem 32):

Nōn amo tē, Sabidī, nec possum dīcere quārē:
hoc tantum possum dīcere, nōn amo tē.

Line one is in dactylic hexameter, while line two uses pentameter.

In line two, there is a caesura between possum and dīcere. To mark the caesura, the line would be written like this:

  • hoc tantum possum || dīcere, nōn amo tē.
Scansion of Poem 32 - Line 1
Nōn amo tē Sabi dī nec possum dīcere quārē
dactyle dactyl spondee spondee dactyle spondee
Scansion of Poem 32 - Line 2
hoc tan tum pos sum dīcere nōn amo tē
spondee spondee long syllable dactyl dactyl long syllable

The translation of this poem:

You, I don't like, Sabidius, and no, I cannot tell you why:
I can only say this one thing: I don't like you.