Propertius and Cynthia: Elegy 1. 3

In this article, I shall refer to the standard commentaries on Propertius by the name of the editor alone. I include under this heading Shackleton Bailey's Propertiana (CUP, 1954), whose comments on 1. 3 are on pp. 11–14. Another work I mention now, honoris causa, which will be referred to by name of author alone, is M. W. Edwards, ‘Intensification of Meaning in Propertius and Others’ (T.A.P.A. XCII (1961), 128–44). Edwards well illustrates and develops the growing awareness of the extent to which Propertius exploits the possibilities of ambiguity, shifting nuance, and linguistic innovation in the creation of his poetry.At dead of night, Propertius comes to Cynthia's bedside, apparently after leaving a fairly drunken party. He is first tempted by her beauty to take advantage of her there and then, but decides against such a hasty act, and contents himself with presenting her in her sleep with gifts which he has brought back from the party. The straying beams of the moon interrupt this tender scene and, filtering through the window, they wake Cynthia up. She then delivers an harangue to him, among other things accusing him of unfaithfulness. And so the poem closes. This is one of Propertius' best known poems, but one which, in my opinion, still lacks adequate exposition both in the details of its art and in its general purpose and effect.