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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