Analysis of Ars Poetica, part 2

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Horace says that sometimes in a serious work of grave purpose there is a purple patch or two in order to make it shine amidst the dull background. This purple patch may represent the temple or Grove of Diana or rainbow, streams, forest. It could even represent the river Rhine. However Horace is of the view that such purple patches mix up everything and lead to lack of coherency and unity. He advises the artists to create anything which they want but be consistent in their approach.

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