Latin Poetic Devices: Sine Baccho friget Venus
by Chris
(Virginia)
What is the name of the poetic device when a god or goddess stands in place of the thing for which they are known, e.g. sine Baccho friget Venus (without wine love grows cold)
Hi Chris,
I would call that metonymy. Bacchus is closely associated with wine, Venus with love. (Some may call it synecdoche, i.e. a part for the whole - but I think metonymy is it, here.)
Hope this helps, and thanks for asking a Latin teacher.
Sincerely,
John
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