THE FEMALE BODY IN LATE LATIN POETRY - S. Malick-Prunier Le corps féminin dans la poésie latine tardive. (Études Anciennes Série Latine 73.) Pp. 319. Paris: Les Belles Lettres, 2011. Paper, €45. ISBN: 978-2-251-32887-4.

Abstract

considers the poetic structure of the Carmen paschale, its nature as 'epic' and the potential importance of the Psalms as a model for the author (see p. 373). Section 5 concludes the volume and offers a definition of the Carmen paschale as 'poetic edification', based on its rhetorical foundations and response to patristic exegesis. D.'s commentary presents an impressive array of new evidence to consider. There is already much here to redirect our reading of the poem in light of the biblical narrative, and it remains to be seen how this commentary will reshape current discussions of Biblical Epic. On the one hand, it is clear that Sedulian studies are following the two dominant streams of research on 'epic' and 'paraphrase', but D. has brought new and needed attention to the Bible as the obvious and ultimate source of inspiration for the poet. As he says, the measure of 'the presbyter Sedulius' is as a communicator of the biblical message, and the principal interest among scholars is shifting from the focus on epic and/or paraphrase to the relationship between Sedulius as poet and priest, and how this dichotomy informs the complex, spiritual messages we read in the Carmen paschale.