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Cover of Remedia Amoris; or, The Remedy of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious Notes

Remedia Amoris; or, The Remedy of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious Notes

Written by Ovid

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Latin poetry

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About this book

"Remedia Amoris; or, The Remedy of Love" by Ovid is a poetic treatise written in the late 1st century BC. This work can be categorized as a didactic poem and serves as a sequel to Ovid's earlier work, "Ars Amatoria." The central topic of this book is the exploration of love's complexities and the various remedies for overcoming unrequited or overwhelming passion. In "Remedia Amoris," Ovid offers advice to lovers suffering from heartache, providing a mix of practical tips and philosophical musings on love itself. He discusses the dangers of idle passion and emphasizes the importance of self-discipline as a strategy to mitigate emotional suffering. The text illustrates various strategies for overcoming love, including avoidance, engagement in productive activities, and employing distraction techniques. Ovid also incorporates examples from mythology, pointing out how various figures faced their struggles with love and pain, thus intertwining personal guidance with broader cultural narratives. Through humor, vivid imagery, and rich metaphors, the poem ultimately reflects on the lighter side of love's turmoil, suggesting that healing from heartbreak is possible by transforming one's perspective on love and the beloved.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Remedia Amoris; or, The Remedy of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious Notes, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • humorous
  • didactic
  • witty

Ovid's "Remedia Amoris" is a witty didactic poem serving as a counterbalance to his earlier "Ars Amatoria," offering a comprehensive guide to overcoming unrequited or overwhelming love. Through a series of practical tips and philosophical musings, Ovid advises the heartbroken on strategies ranging from physical avoidance and engaging in productive activities to cultivating self-discipline and changing one's perspective on the beloved. Interspersed with mythological examples and delivered with characteristic humor and irony, the poem suggests that love, often depicted as a disease, can be cured through reason and a shift in mindset. Ultimately, it reflects on the possibility of healing from emotional turmoil by transforming one's relationship with passion and finding solace in self-mastery.

“Principiis obsta; sero medicina paratur, cum mala per longas convaluere moras.”

Key themes

The Nature of Love (as a disease/addiction)
Ovid frequently frames love as a malady that can afflict the mind and body, requiring a 'cure' or 'remedy.' This theme explores the idea that intense passion, while initially pleasurable, can become a destructive force, leading to suffering, obsession, and loss of self-control. It suggests that love, like a physical illness, has symptoms, progression, and prescribed treatments.
Self-Control and Reason
A core tenet of Ovid's advice is the power of the individual to exert control over their emotions through reason and discipline. This theme emphasizes that while passion can be powerful, it is not insurmountable. By applying rational thought and deliberate strategies, one can regain agency over their feelings and prevent love from overwhelming their life.
Distraction and Avoidance
Ovid provides a wealth of practical strategies centered on diverting attention and creating physical and emotional distance from the beloved and associated memories. This theme highlights the effectiveness of changing one's environment and engaging in new activities to break the cycle of obsessive thought and emotional pain.

Worth discussing

How does Ovid's portrayal of love as a 'disease' or 'addiction' compare to modern understandings of romantic passion and heartbreak?

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