CORTESIE DA PASTORI. PRAGMATICA DELLA COMUNICAZIONE NELLE ECLOGHE 3, 5 E 7 DI VIRGILIO*

Abstract

This paper focuses on three significant passages of Virgil’s Eclogues (esp. 3. 43; 5. 3; 7. 7-8) and analyzes them
from the point of view of mimesis and narrative technique. Particular attention is given to pragmatics and
linguistic interaction, including politeness theory and its linguistic manifestations. This approach is combined
with literary comparisons between Virgil and Theocritus (i.e., Virgil’s main pastoral model) as well
as between Virgil and other Roman authors (e.g., Plautus and Horace) in order to solve textual-critical and
interpretive issues and highlight previously understudied aspects of Virgil’s text.