Analysis of Ars Poetica, part 6

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After acclaiming Homer as the first poet to have written about the heroics and adventures of the great rulers and commanders of the past in epic verse, Horace gives his views on the ‘Elegy’. According to him, elegy in the past was considered to be a mourning song but now it’s usage has changed. Now it is used as a joyful song. No one knows correctly about the origin of elegies. Scholars have different opinions about it. About lyric song, Horace says that it’s subject matter is God, sons of God, the horse that wins the race, sorrows of swains, celebration of freedom etc.

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