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Title: Closing the Door on seruitium amoris in Ovid, Amores 1.6
Author(s): FLETCHER, K.F.B.
Journal: Latomus
Volume: 78    Issue: 2   Date: 2019   
Pages: 385-396
DOI: 10.2143/LAT.78.2.3287057

Abstract :
In Amores 1.6 Ovid subverts the conceit of previous paraclausithyra by directly addressing the ianitor, who can actually open the door, instead of the door itself. Focusing on the ianitor also allows Ovid to treat the concept of seruitium amoris, through flattery of the ianitor and comparison of their positions on opposite sides of the door. But his sympathy for – and imagined similarity with – the ianitor is only temporary, and the comparison of Ovid’s fleeting seruitium with the ianitor’s actual seruitium reveals the artificial nature of seruitium amoris.

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