The Erotic Poems (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Ovid (Author), Peter Green (Translator, Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This collection of Ovid's poems deals with the whole spectrum of sexual desire, ranging from deeply emotional declarations of eternal devotion to flippant arguments for promiscuity. In the "Amores", Ovid addresses himself in a series of elegies to Corinna, his beautiful, elusive mistress. The intimate and vulnerable nature of the poet revealed in these early poems vanishes in the notorious Art of Love, in which he provides a knowing and witty guide to sexual conquest - a work whose alleged obscenity led to Ovid's banishment from Rome in AD 8. This volume also includes the "Cures for Love", with instructions on how to terminate a love affair, and "On Facial Treatment for Ladies", an incomplete poem on the art of cosmetics.

About the Author

Publius Ovidius Naso was born in 43 BC at Sumo in Central Italy. He was expelled from Rome by the emperor Augustus in AD 8 for some unknown offence. He published poetry throughout his life. Peter Green is the Dougherty Centennial Professor of Classics in the University of Texas, Austin. He has translated Ovid and Juvenal for the Penguin Classics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (February 24, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140443606
• ISBN-13: 978-0140443608
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #56,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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  Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics > Roman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into the Rome of Augustus and Ovid, April 10, 2000

By	Mark Trotter (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Erotic Poems (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I also give this book 5 stars but for a different reason than the first two reviewers. I do not have a grounding in ancient literature, but, I do have an interest in ancient Rome. Ovid's reputation is that of a sexual rebel in a free wheeling society. Not so on both counts. Ovid used sex and mythology to constantly ridicule Rome's conservative first emperor and his society. But, the literature itself could never convey that to this 20th Century man. Without a better backgound in ancient literature all I could get were some of the sexual references and little else. That's where Peter Green's notes (and the 5 stars) come in. Green parses every important sentence to explain both the translation from Latin and the nuance Ovid was creating. If you don't already have a good appreciation of life in first century Rome, Ovid's writings and Green's notes will explain a lot.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ovid- a Master of both the Art of Love and Poetry, September 30, 2000

By	Hendrik Obsieger - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Erotic Poems (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Ovid, the young dandy none of the most beautiful women of Rome could resist, in the Amores describes his crazy love to the etera Corinna. There is one obstacle to this love. Ovid, as a young artist, lacks money and she is encharged by a rich man for long. The young and charming Ovid, though, meets her secretly. From poem to poem, the Relationship develops. Very funny scenes are to be found, when the young lovers try to avoid the control of Corinna's sponsor, e.g. as the three of them are invited at the same party, or when Ovid discovers that Corinnas erotic skills have increased and learned things that Ovid for his part has not told her. You simply enjoy the light an witty style of the poems. As to the Art of Love, Ovid uses the genre of Didactic Poetry to write a brilliant parody of Love's euphory and melancholy. The "master of love" as he calls himself, particularly teaches us not to take love that seriously- an occasion to flirting is everywhere, and "at first you shall be convinced that every woman can be conquered." The third book is written for women- I cannot say if the advises given are good- but a girl-friend of mine confesses to hate Ovid because he has discovered so many strategies which should not be made public. Also the Art is worth reading as marvellous literature anyway- one of the most funny books about love! The shorter Cures of Love and Facial Treatment for Ladies are only short Appendices, but also nice to read. With all these works Ovid proves to be a master of the art of love as well as of poetry.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And we thought we were rebels..., April 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Erotic Poems (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Classical poetry, although invaluable to anyone who appreciates literature and endeavours to further their enjoyment of it, very rarely is able to rivet the modern reader to its story in the same way that the 'contemporary' literature of a generation can. Here is a poet that has captured a timeless human experience; being sex, love, romance and scandal. At the very least he will entertain you and make you laugh, but hopefully he'll make you think too.