oa Les Tristes ou la métamorphose d’Ovide

Exile was the cause of a deep and definitive change in Ovid’s poetry. Because of new psychological and intellectual conditions, its previous principles cannot be applied any more. But as the poet finds in study a relief to his pain, he gradually discovers the power of poetry, which proves to be the instrument of a spiritual victory over the emperor. Ovid first tries to use it as a way to obtain his return to Rome, then he realizes the revival that has ensued. His poetry was light, objective and open to the world; it now becomes a serious poetry and a poetry of the individual the meaning of which can only be understood by reference to the poet himself. This change, however, does not result from a rational decision but almost happens without Ovid’s knowledge. Afraid of losing his identity, he still refers himself to traditional frames and myths and he thus appears to have initiated less a poetic revolution than a new and original use of old literary forms.