This article offers an analysis of Seneca’s Ep. 64.1-3, with particular attention to the thematic element of the banquet. The epistle tackles the topic of convivium with both reticence (for instance, there is no reference to specific foods or guests) and a satirical overtone (as signaled by the smoke, the joke with firefighters, and the guests’ inconclusive speeches). This purposely understated description contrasts with the chief model for all philosophical banquets, that is Plato’s Symposium. And yet, Seneca’s presentation of Sextius’ recalls in many ways Socrates’ eulogy made by Alcibiades, precisely in Plato’s dialogue. In fact, Sextius is quoted for his literary achievement: something Plato would have looked upon with suspicion. In turn, such emphasis on philosophical writing foreshadows Seneca abandoning dialogues for reading and writing (cf. Ep. 67). Thus, the banquet at Ep. 64 stands out as a distancing maneuver from Plato’s themes and literary genre, to favor instead authors and practices which prove more beneficial to Seneca’s ethical targets.
Questo articolo analizza il tema del banchetto nella cornice della lettera 64. Questo tema viene affrontato insieme con reticenza (nessun accenno all'identità degli ospiti o ai cibi) e con accenni satirici (il riferimento ai pompieri allarmati dal fumo della cucina, i discorsi lasciati a metà). Questi tratti si discostano dal modello imprescindibile del banchetto filosofico, ossia il Simposio di Platone, e tuttavia non sono pochi i richiami a questo testo, e in particolare all'elogio che Alcibiade fa di Socrate, e che Seneca riferisce al filosofo romano Sestio, con la cruciale differenza che quest'ultimo lasciò opere scritte. Il testo di Seneca si pone dunque in una relazione emulativa con il modello.
Due letture dell’esordio della lettera 64 di Seneca. 2. Il banchetto che non c’è / Berno, Francesca Romana. - In: LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA. - ISSN 2785-2849. - 1:(2021), pp. 25-46.
Due letture dell’esordio della lettera 64 di Seneca. 2. Il banchetto che non c’è
Berno, Francesca RomanaPrimo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2021
Abstract
This article offers an analysis of Seneca’s Ep. 64.1-3, with particular attention to the thematic element of the banquet. The epistle tackles the topic of convivium with both reticence (for instance, there is no reference to specific foods or guests) and a satirical overtone (as signaled by the smoke, the joke with firefighters, and the guests’ inconclusive speeches). This purposely understated description contrasts with the chief model for all philosophical banquets, that is Plato’s Symposium. And yet, Seneca’s presentation of Sextius’ recalls in many ways Socrates’ eulogy made by Alcibiades, precisely in Plato’s dialogue. In fact, Sextius is quoted for his literary achievement: something Plato would have looked upon with suspicion. In turn, such emphasis on philosophical writing foreshadows Seneca abandoning dialogues for reading and writing (cf. Ep. 67). Thus, the banquet at Ep. 64 stands out as a distancing maneuver from Plato’s themes and literary genre, to favor instead authors and practices which prove more beneficial to Seneca’s ethical targets.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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