Source edition
Horace. The Works of Horace. Vol. II. Smart, Christopher, editor. Philadelphia: J. Whetham, 1836.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work, written in the form of an epistolary poem by the Roman poet Horace, discusses the principles and practical techniques of poetic composition. At the beginning, the author emphasizes the importance of overall harmony and unity in creation, addressing word choice, the coinage of new terms, and the appropriate use of various meters. In the middle section, he focuses on dramatic poetry, detailing the consistency of character portrayal, the rules of theatrical structure, and the necessity of rigorous revision based on Greek models. Horace positions himself as a "whetstone" that sharpens others' skills, urging poets to refine their craft rather than relying solely on raw talent. The latter part of the work highlights that the ultimate goal of poetry is to combine usefulness and pleasure (utile dulci). It concludes with a warning against flatterers, advocating for honest criticism, and a humorous portrayal of a mad, self-absorbed poet.