let the stars fall from the sky, so I be but a lock of hair on the queen's head!

Alrighty closet (and not-closet) Classics geeks, here's your chance. I'm writing a paper on the influence of the Ptolemies on Hellenistic poetry, and have run into a snag with Callimachus' Aitia 4.17, 'The Lock of Berenike'. It's essentially a praise poem to Queen Berenike II, describing the cutting off and dedication of a lock of her hair. Which is all well and good, except it's been emphasized that Callimachus sometimes writes with a playful, slightly mocking voice. So is this poem supposed to be taken seriously? Is Callimachus being a bit ridiculous, or was hair actually considered to be really important in the Hellenistic period? I mean, yeah, there's a lot of stuff equating Berenike with a goddess, which was common practice among the Ptolemies, but... for goodness' sake, it's a freaking lock of hair!

Garg. *facepalm* Maybe I just won't bother with this, since I'm already at the word limit, and I still haven't mentioned Apollonius... who has issues of his own. I find his supposed digs at the Ptolemies through their ancestor Herakles very dodgy and indirect. Or subtle, if you like, but this is why I'm not an English major.

Also, I am offended by the use to which "feminisation" is put here. Wellesley (*cough*Community*cough*) has forever tainted me! *grin*

ETA: Oh dear. I've just called Apollonius' Herakles a "macho-man". This is not. good. *cue hysterical giggling* I will. not. quote Casson and call the Argonauts a bunch of prima donnas. I won't, I won't!

let the stars fall from the sky, so I be but a lock of hair on the queen's head!

Alrighty closet (and not-closet) Classics geeks, here's your chance. I'm writing a paper on the influence of the Ptolemies on Hellenistic poetry, and have run into a snag with Callimachus' Aitia 4.17, 'The Lock of Berenike'. It's essentially a praise poem to Queen Berenike II, describing the cutting off and dedication of a lock of her hair. Which is all well and good, except it's been emphasized that Callimachus sometimes writes with a playful, slightly mocking voice. So is this poem supposed to be taken seriously? Is Callimachus being a bit ridiculous, or was hair actually considered to be really important in the Hellenistic period? I mean, yeah, there's a lot of stuff equating Berenike with a goddess, which was common practice among the Ptolemies, but... for goodness' sake, it's a freaking lock of hair!

Garg. *facepalm* Maybe I just won't bother with this, since I'm already at the word limit, and I still haven't mentioned Apollonius... who has issues of his own. I find his supposed digs at the Ptolemies through their ancestor Herakles very dodgy and indirect. Or subtle, if you like, but this is why I'm not an English major.

Also, I am offended by the use to which "feminisation" is put here. Wellesley (*cough*Community*cough*) has forever tainted me! *grin*

ETA: Oh dear. I've just called Apollonius' Herakles a "macho-man". This is not. good. *cue hysterical giggling* I will. not. quote Casson and call the Argonauts a bunch of prima donnas. I won't, I won't!