Point of View

The Satyricon uses the unusual format of first-person narrator doubling as a main character in the story. There is liberal use of perspective. Depending on the circumstances of the story, the point of view switches from narrator, to first person and to third-person omniscient. The author uses bracketed introductions in some portions; for example, "[Proselenus to Oenothea, priestess of Priapus, talking of Encolpius]" is used to tell the reader that the witch and the priestess are having a conversation.

In his introduction, translator Professor J. P. Sullivan discusses Petronius' unique writing style. One of the most popular writing styles during Petronius' time was satire. While The Satyricon certainly falls into that category, it is set apart from other satire in that the author, Petronius, does not have a message. Rather, he tells the story and is not concerned with illustrating how the flawed human who lacks...