The Didactic Unity and Emotional Import of Book 6 of "de Rerum Natura"

Abstract

SCHOLARS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY AWARE of the missionary orientation of the Epicurean school.' In the case of Lucretius, however, although the intensity of his didactic purpose is recognized in his prologues, digressions, and conclusions, its consistent influence in the scientific portions of the poem has yet to be appreciated. The story of the plague concluding Book 6 is now widely accepted as a valid expression of Epicureanism, aptly interpreted by Gerhard Miller as a final test for the reader;2 but much of the preparation for that test throughout Book 6 has remained unnoticed. Even A. S. Cox,3 who understood that Lucretius' overriding purpose was to combat fear and that the last book does this by revealing the universal operation of natural law, could see only idle scientific curiosity, e.g., in the long discussion of the magnet. Although the author of De rerum natura could not have lacked disinterested scientific curiosity, it would be surprising that he should indulge it particularly in connection with the topics of Book 6, topics which Epicureans considered worth studying only to secure peace of mind by eliminating mythology.4 The present paper will show that the contents of Book 6 are not determined by a rambling curiosity, but largely by the design of leading the reader to an attitude of philosophical detachment.