Pliny (Death 6.16) Notes and Stylistic Points

The Death of Pliny the Elder

PART 1

• 'tibi' – refers to the Historian Tacitus
• 'imperio praesens'; in person – magnifies P the E's prescence
• 'nonum kal. septembres hora fere septima'; 24/08 @ 7 – time frame is vivid and exact, and increases the story-like quality of this letter
• 'indicat'; indicate(s/d) – historic present creates the sense of an event unfolding now
• 'eruditissimo' – superlative, again elevates P the E
• 'mirabilem', 'magna prpiusque noscenda' – intriguing, used to draw in the reader with suspense of the unknown
• 'iubet' – emphatic positioning to convey the sense of speed
• 'me si venire una vellum rogat' – poignant detail in retrospect
• iubet liburnicum parari; me si venire una vellum rogat; respondere studere me malle' – stacatto phrases add to sense of speed. Asyndeton also controls pace and increases spead.
• 'egrediebatur...accipit' – present tense interrupts imperfect, sense of speed
• 'imminenti periculo' – hyperbolic language used to portray Pliny as strong
• 'tanto' – magnifies danger
• 'vertit ille consilium' – vertit is E.P. increases speed and sense of immediacy; also a literal turning point in the story as importance is given to vertit. 
• 'studioso animo...maximo' – juxtaposition of qualities and E.P increases effect of heroic characteristic
• 'deducit quadririmes, ascendit ipse... auxilium' – asyndetic list for speed; ipse emphasises and magnifies prescence and bravery
• 'festinat illuc unde alii fugiunt' – chaismus / chiastic phrase where two opposites are juxtaposed to elevate his heroic character. 
• 'rectumque cursum recta' – polyptoton emphasises his methodical and organised mindset
• 'festinat...in periculum' – so brave he does not hesitate, word choice to evoke reader incredulity
• 'adeo solutus metu' – heroic quality, admirable bravery

PART 2

• 'iam, iam, iam' – anaphora / repetition / tricolon shows the rapid worsening of the situation.
• 'calidior, densior, propius' – comparatives demonstrating 'worsening'; propius shows the relativity between danger and distance
• 'subitum' – pace increases, shows instability of the situation
• 'haesitat paulisper' – only for a short while, also the situation must be dire…