Cortesie da pastori. Pragmatica della comunicazione nelle ecloghe 3, 5 e 7 di Virgilio

This paper focuses on three significant passages of Virgil’s Eclogues (esp. 3. 43; 5. 3; 7. 7-8) and analyzes them from the point of view of mimesis and narrative technique. Particular attention is given to pragmatics and linguistic interaction, including politeness theory and its linguistic manifestations. This approach is combined with literary comparisons between Virgil and Theocritus (i.e., Virgil’s main pastoral model) as well as between Virgil and other Roman authors (e.g., Plautus and Horace) in order to solve textual-critical and interpretive issues and highlight previously understudied aspects of Virgil’s text.