They have become well known in Roman poetry by their readers; Lesbia, Cynthia, Delia, Nemesis and Corinna. They are told to us as being some of the most beautiful and enchanting ladies in Rome by their hopeless romantic lovers. These poems are filled with passion, longing, romance, frustration, lust, jealousy, and heartache. All these women in their own way are examples of the role of the “cruel beloved” that is present throughout Roman erotic poetry. Lovely as they may be, their perspective lovers are no stranger to heartbreak. The first 2, Lesbia and Cynthia, are written about by the poets, Catullus and Propertius. Lesbia is a vibrant beauty who Catullus has long been taken with. He often makes references of other women never coming close
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Delia for one, was only mentioned in the first book of Tibullus poems (the first book being named after herself) and after that, she completely vanishes from his works, creating many unanswered questions. It is not clear whether Delia had a husband (sometimes it seems one is mentioned, sometimes not), but seems to wish to not be tied down to anyone, much like Cynthia. Tibullus often longs for more one on one attention from her, as he mentions in this poem; “This labor won't hurt me, if only Delia unlocks the door...Still you must keep away from others: since he’ll see all the rest: it's only me he’ll see nothing of!..I’d not wish to be without you if I could”(book 1, poem 2, A Plea to Delia). He speaks of her in utter devotion; “my girl does it not with words, but beauty and tender arms, by those she bewitched me and her golden hair”(book 1, poem V, the Separation). Its curious that someone so in love with a lady would then snuff her out of his life without explanation. The woman who seems to have taken her place as Tibullus’s new lady love is Nemesis (the title of his 2nd book), who he has a difficult relationship with. Nemesis seems to have no desire to commit only to him and is very popular among men in Rome. She spends her time with who she pleases and this infuriates Tibullus to no end. He writes of his frustrations with having feelings for her …show more content…
Corinna too would break Ovid’s heart time and time again due to her fascination with other men that weren’t himself. Corinna actually has a sort of matchmaker named Elena that she and the other ladies go to to get advice on men they are interested in as well as to be set up with potential suitors of high status. There’s even a poem Ovid writes about an exchange Elena and Corinna have about how Corinna should act around certain suitors according to Elena. Ovid, jealous of such a conversation, describes his disdain of Elena by saying; “she’s a witch, mutters magical cantrips, can make rivers run uphill, knows the best aphrodisiacs, when to use herbal brews…it wouldn’t surprise me if the old bitch grew feathers at nightfall”(poem 8, book 1). Ovid was never happy about Corinna paying her attentions to anyone but himself and was a lot more vulgar and bold about his feelings. Another example on poem 4; “so your man’s going to be present at this dinner party? I hope he drops dead before dessert! Does this mean no hands, just eyes, just to look at my darling while he lies there with you beside him, in licensed embracement, and paws your bossom or neck as he feels inclined?....if he passes out comfortably, drowned in sleep and liquor, we must improvise as occasion dictates..”( poem 4, book 1). What is interesting with Ovid and Corinna’s relationship is he seems to realize that she may be with other men, but he still hopes that even
Delia for one, was only mentioned in the first book of Tibullus poems (the first book being named after herself) and after that, she completely vanishes from his works, creating many unanswered questions. It is not clear whether Delia had a husband (sometimes it seems one is mentioned, sometimes not), but seems to wish to not be tied down to anyone, much like Cynthia. Tibullus often longs for more one on one attention from her, as he mentions in this poem; “This labor won't hurt me, if only Delia unlocks the door...Still you must keep away from others: since he’ll see all the rest: it's only me he’ll see nothing of!..I’d not wish to be without you if I could”(book 1, poem 2, A Plea to Delia). He speaks of her in utter devotion; “my girl does it not with words, but beauty and tender arms, by those she bewitched me and her golden hair”(book 1, poem V, the Separation). Its curious that someone so in love with a lady would then snuff her out of his life without explanation. The woman who seems to have taken her place as Tibullus’s new lady love is Nemesis (the title of his 2nd book), who he has a difficult relationship with. Nemesis seems to have no desire to commit only to him and is very popular among men in Rome. She spends her time with who she pleases and this infuriates Tibullus to no end. He writes of his frustrations with having feelings for her …show more content…
Corinna too would break Ovid’s heart time and time again due to her fascination with other men that weren’t himself. Corinna actually has a sort of matchmaker named Elena that she and the other ladies go to to get advice on men they are interested in as well as to be set up with potential suitors of high status. There’s even a poem Ovid writes about an exchange Elena and Corinna have about how Corinna should act around certain suitors according to Elena. Ovid, jealous of such a conversation, describes his disdain of Elena by saying; “she’s a witch, mutters magical cantrips, can make rivers run uphill, knows the best aphrodisiacs, when to use herbal brews…it wouldn’t surprise me if the old bitch grew feathers at nightfall”(poem 8, book 1). Ovid was never happy about Corinna paying her attentions to anyone but himself and was a lot more vulgar and bold about his feelings. Another example on poem 4; “so your man’s going to be present at this dinner party? I hope he drops dead before dessert! Does this mean no hands, just eyes, just to look at my darling while he lies there with you beside him, in licensed embracement, and paws your bossom or neck as he feels inclined?....if he passes out comfortably, drowned in sleep and liquor, we must improvise as occasion dictates..”( poem 4, book 1). What is interesting with Ovid and Corinna’s relationship is he seems to realize that she may be with other men, but he still hopes that even