SOURCE: “The Larger Context: Epodes, Odes 1-3, Odes 4” in Horace's Poetic Journey: A Reading of Odes 1-3, Princeton University Press, 1987, pp. 254-73.

In the following excerpt, Porter explores the complexities of Odes 1-3 and describes them as standing midway between the Epodes and Ode 4 in terms of movement and theme.

In conclusion we may briefly view Odes 1-3 in the larger context of Horace's total lyric output. In composition and publication the collection falls chronologically between the Epodes, which Horace completed around 30 b.c., and Odes 4, which Horace completed probably in 13 b.c., and we shall see that Odes 1-3 stands midway between these two other collections also in theme, tone, and movement. Since our purpose here in looking at these two other collections is only to suggest what light they cast on Odes 1-3, we shall examine them briefly and focus on one aspect only, their larger...