De Gruyter Wordplay and Powerplay in Latin Poetry - Vol 36

Explore the complex relationship between language and politics in Roman literature. This volume from the Trends in Classics series examines how major Roman poets used linguistic tools to navigate their political environments. Because these authors often left the burden of interpretation to their audience, determining their true allegiances remains a challenge for scholars. This work investigates how poetic voices are constructed through specific literary devices. By analyzing etymologies, puns, anagrams, telestichs, and acronyms, the text explores how these elements function as authorial powerplays. The research suggests that the contexts of composition, performance, and reception are essential to understanding whether a poetic voice is meant to be politically favorable or dissenting. Ideal for students and researchers of Ancient Roman history and classical literature, this book provides a deep look into the mechanics of Latin verse. It offers a new way to assess how poets used wordplay to signal their positions in a changing political landscape.