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Document Details : Title: A Newly Discovered Poem by Johanna Otho (1548/49-after 1621) Author(s): SHIRLEY, Skye Journal: Lias Volume: 50 Issue: 2 Date: 2023-2024 Pages: 201-216 DOI: 10.2143/LIAS.50.2.3294628 Abstract : This article presents the first full translation into English of a newly discovered poem by the early modern writer Johanna Otho, known as ‘Othonia’. The poem, titled ‘Best wishes to the praiseworthy, famous, and highly educated man, Mr. Kaspar Finck, Teacher of Holy Theology and Superintendent’, was found in a collection from 1617 honoring Lutheran theologian and professor Kaspar Finck. Othonia’s poem, comprised of twenty lines of elegiac couplets, reveals intricate layers of classical and biblical references. Despite some stylistic flaws, likely due to the speed of production, the poem’s structure reflects both traditional and contemporary elements. After a general introduction, this article delves into Othonia’s self-citation, weaving in allusions to Ennius, Ovid, and the Bible, and emphasizing the poet’s erudition and adaptability. The article also explores the context of the collection, highlighting Othonia’s unique role as the only female contributor, as well as her family’s Protestant background and her connections with other Neo-Latin writers. |
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