TNTL 118/4

René Veenman

Staring en Horatius

Abstract -- It is a well-known fact that the Dutch poet A.C.W. Staring (1767-1840) considered Horace his favourite poet. In this paper Staring’s relationship to Horace will be investigated more closely. In an age in which the pindaric style was in vogue, Staring, following his own devices, preferred to take the modesty and brevity of Horace’s odes as an example for his own lyric poetry. He adopted the moral philosophy of the odes – which is mainly epicuristic – as well. There were also similarities in the way of life of both poets: they lived happily on a little property in the country, which inspired both of them to write odes on nature. All in all Staring showed a congeniality of mind with Horace, which is unique in Dutch poetry.

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