Wild Horses and Beasts of Burden

This chapter analyzes ancient animal metaphors according to interactive dynamics as well as species. Erotic praise of elite maidens presents them as proud racehorses and should be distinguished from metaphors of tamed or yoked hetairai that focus on the lover’s desired role as rider or driver. The marital yoke is a common metaphor in some genres, but yoking language found in the wedding discourse focuses on the unity of the couple rather than the control of the bride by the groom. Hunting metaphors that feature fearful or endangered animals are more common in erotic poetry or in tragic weddings, rather than in the wedding song. The chapter concludes with a series of Horatian odes that purposefully blur the lines between nuptial and erotic animals.