MAR: Lesson - The Style of Epigrams - Poetic Devices Review

The Style of Epigrams - Poetic Devices Review

Before we begin reading his epigrams, we need to review a few poetic devices commonly used by Martial. These devices in particular make the epigrams more potent, as Martial uses them to great effect to create the biting wit famous in his poetry.

Ellipsis is the omission of a word or words needed to make the sentence grammatically correct. It is used for compactness, brevity, and force – all elements of poetry.  

Examples:

  • centurio gladium, miles hastam gerebat
    • the centurion (was wearing) a sword, the soldier was wearing a spear.
    • The verb (gerebat) is used for both centurio and miles.
  • nos in urbe ambulamus, vos in silva. 
    • We walk in the city, you (walk) in the forest.
    • The verb ambulatis is understood from the verb ambulamus.
  • puer togam voluit, puella pallam. 
    • The boy wanted a toga, the girl (wanted) a palla.
    • The verb voluit is understood in the second half of the sentence.

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