Through Lucretius’ work in “On the nature of things,” we are able to view the many ways love can be seen as damaging. Of the many, one that is very intriguing is the act of adorning a mistress in luxurious garments and jewelry. Being presented in such luxury can be a display of one’s status, someone without a good fortune would not be able to present themselves in high-quality garments and jewelry. It can also be a representation of love, a male lover providing these objects to his mistress must surely have a strong love and desire for her or else he wouldn’t have done so otherwise. Love could also be attributed to the mistress, as she puts the effort to display the best of her beauty for her lover. With all these angled approaches to luxury and love, it’s fair to say they often have a strong connection of some sort. This was my thought process as I listened to a song by one of my favorite artists, Fashion Killa by A$AP Rocky. The song talks about a female partner who figuratively kills fashion because she does it so well. The outfits she puts together places her in a league of her own. She, like the mistress’ Lucretius writes about, is too adorned with statements of luxury, just more contemporary forms of it, “My b**** a fashion killa, she be busy popping tags. She got a lotta Prada, that Dolce and Gabbana. I can’t forget Escada, and that Balenciaga.” A$AP name drops many luxury clothing brands of today. Being busy “popping tags” simply implies she has many of these luxury items, not just a few. Similarly with Lucretius, “His mistress’ feet sparkle with lovely slippers from Sicyon. You may be sure too that she wears huge green-gleaming emeralds enchased in gold, and that her sea-blue gown, worn out by constant use, soaks up the sweat of Venus.” The presence of luxury through clothing is here as well, the female is presenting a version of herself enhanced by valuable material objects.
The connection with luxury and clothing is surely there between A$AP Rocky’s song and Lucretius’ book, however, they become very different when looking at the bigger picture. Lucretius’ view on the matter is more negative for the male lover. Generally speaking, his idea is that women are expensive and this can be detrimental to a man’s fortune, fortunes that may or may not even be his. In A$AP Rocky’s song, he has a more positive view to his partners lavish lifestyle. He seems to embrace it and even compliment her taste.
Lucretius – On The Nature of Things
“His mistress’ feet sparkle with lovely slippers from Sicyon. You may be sure too that she wears huge green-gleaming emeralds enchased in gold, and that her sea-blue gown, worn out by constant use, soaks up the sweat of Venus.”