This paper focuses on a passage of Querol. 103 (Jacquemard-Le Saos 2003) and, more specifically, on the use of the proverb 'Auribus teneo lupum' by the parasite Mandrogerus, who is forced to choose between the confession of theft and that of profanation. After showing the meaning of the proverb, already attested in repertories, this article retraces its various Greek and Latin occurrences, starting from Ter. Phorm. 506-507. This proverb contributes to defining Mandrogerus’ metamorphosis: having started as a hunter of men and treasures, as he presents himself when we first meet him (Querol. 42), he is now a parasite in difficulty due to the pressing questions of Querolus, the main character. Mandrogerus completes the proverb with the statement 'Vtrum dixero, id contra me futurum uideo', a variation of Cic. diu. in Caec. 45 ('utrum dixeris, id contra te futurum'). By recovering the rhetoric notion of ‘dilemma’, a wider comparison with Cicero’s text is presented: diu. in Caec. 45 'homini minime malo' reappears only in Querol. 64. The aim of this paper is to examine Mandrogerus’ evolution with a view to analyse retribution and reversal, highlighting how the motif of reversal is also reflected in the structure of the comedy.

«Auribus teneo lupum». Un antico proverbio e una postilla ciceroniana nel Querolus

Andrea Arrighini
2023-01-01

Abstract

This paper focuses on a passage of Querol. 103 (Jacquemard-Le Saos 2003) and, more specifically, on the use of the proverb 'Auribus teneo lupum' by the parasite Mandrogerus, who is forced to choose between the confession of theft and that of profanation. After showing the meaning of the proverb, already attested in repertories, this article retraces its various Greek and Latin occurrences, starting from Ter. Phorm. 506-507. This proverb contributes to defining Mandrogerus’ metamorphosis: having started as a hunter of men and treasures, as he presents himself when we first meet him (Querol. 42), he is now a parasite in difficulty due to the pressing questions of Querolus, the main character. Mandrogerus completes the proverb with the statement 'Vtrum dixero, id contra me futurum uideo', a variation of Cic. diu. in Caec. 45 ('utrum dixeris, id contra te futurum'). By recovering the rhetoric notion of ‘dilemma’, a wider comparison with Cicero’s text is presented: diu. in Caec. 45 'homini minime malo' reappears only in Querol. 64. The aim of this paper is to examine Mandrogerus’ evolution with a view to analyse retribution and reversal, highlighting how the motif of reversal is also reflected in the structure of the comedy.
2023
53
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/5019362
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