Death is impartial
One of the common motifs which can be found in many of the odes analyzed is the idea that death is impartial and that no one can escape from it. In "Ode IV’’ for example, the narrator discusses the way in which kings and queens die eventually just like any other common person. This idea is also present in "Ode XII’’ and "Ode I’’.
Symbol for art
In "Ode X’’ the narrator mentions Mercury as being the inventor of the lyre and thus the one responsible for bringing joy and happiness into the world. The lyre is used here in the ode as a symbol, being used in the past to make reference to everything that had to do with art in general. Because of this, we can claim the lyre is used primarily as a symbol for art.
Singing and happiness
In "Ode XII’’ the narrator mentions an instance when, after a happy event, the people broke into song and filled the air with their voices. This idea, namely how song can be used as a form of celebration, is also mentioned in other odes and is a symbol found time and time again. In this cases, singing is associated with happiness and thus it is used here as a symbol for happiness.
Lydia
Lydia is a name which appears in many odes but it is also among the few names which is not associated with any type of God or Goddess. Instead, the name Lydia appears in the odes in which the narrator discusses the true nature of women and in the poems in which the narrator wants to highlight just how dangerous women can be. Lydia becomes a common motif in the odes, being used for example in "Ode V’’ and "Ode XIII’’. The reason why we can claim Lydia is used as a motif is because she is always presented in the same manner and because she is always used as a symbol for the power women have over men.
Ancient Gods and Goddesses
One of the most important motifs in the odes is the frequent mentioning of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses. The narrator mentions a plethora of names while also addressing them directly. This is a common motif not only in the odes written by Horace but in the most pieces of the literature of the time, thus making it also a motif of the time.
