Impersonating Hypsipyle: Statius’ Thebaid and Medieval Lament1
Carole E. Newlands
This article argues that studies of the female voice in medieval Latin lyric should take into account significance Statius’ Thebaid as a vehicle for feminine distinct from represented by Ovidian tradition, text makes prominent figure grieving, but powerful mother rather than lovesick, abandoned “heroine.” It takes case study eleventh century collection, Cambridge Songs, which include five laments excerpted classical texts, three them women’s Thebaid. Recited or sung young students male performers, these also raise question whether impersonation created sympathetic understanding experience reinforced gender differentiation and elite values. suggests Thebaid, when detached epic narrative, give validity authority to conventionally marginal voices women.
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