AustLit

The paper analyses the sources used by Australian writer David Malouf and hypothesises the presence of some classical literary models which have not been investigated so far. In the novel An Imaginary Life (1978) we can identify themes from Ovid's Epistulae ex Ponto, in particular as regards the process of reconciliation of the protagonist with the inhabitants of Tomi. In his latest novel Ransom (2009), it is possible to trace the influence of Ennius' tragedy Hectoris Lytra and, through the pathos of the Latin theatre, we get as far as Shakespeare. More specifically, the character of Somax, the carter, shows the relevance of Latin 'tragi-comedy' as an influence highlighting the values of classical humanitas. [Author's abstract]