Poor Catullus. I really do feel bad for him in this one. =(
He starts off by yelling at himself to stop being an idiot and get out of the love affair. He has finally accepted that Lesbia is not interested in him, and perhaps never was. Using quondam, he describes his days with her as a fairy tale. Everything was good when she loved him. Everything was good when they both wanted the same things - quite the teenage love song, this poem - but now she doesn't want him anymore.
Indeed, in true teenager-who's-just-been-dumped fashion, Catullus tells himself to be strong and get over it all, but tells Lesbia that she'll be sorry. After all, there won't be anyone asking after her now. There won't be anyone calling her beautiful, no one approaching her anymore (even though, if I recall, the reason they're breaking up is because of Lesbia sleeping with other people).
Towards the end, he really starts to sound depressed. He can't stand the thought of her loving, or more directly, kissing other men. He starts to waver and seriously ponder the merits of being with her, but true to his word Catullus pulls back. He is persisting, and I wish him a hearty amount of good luck.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Catullus 75
The Catullus presented in this poem is one who gives off the image of pulling his hair out as he frantically paces about thinking about Lesbia. He is at his wits' end trying to understand what to do about her.
Lesbia seriously seems to be cheating on Catullus, because this is the second time he's written a poem on the subject. Catullus accuses her of being morally wrong as well as ensuring the ruin of his own mind. Although he also chides himself for loving her so deeply, he makes sure to say that he's being destroyed se officia suo - Catullus never misses a chance to tell the world how committed of a lover he is.
However, he seems to truly be hurt by Lesbia's actions. He says that now no matter what else she does, he cannot possibly ever respect her again. For Catullus, respect is clearly an important aspect of a relationship; for Lesbia, however, it is not. This seems to be a large distinction between them. For all of Catullus's lovey-dovey "She's the best woman in the history of ever" ramblings, Lesbia is not half as morally upright as Catullus is.
Catullus doesn't seem to really care about this, otherwise he would have broken the relationship long ago. He still states that even though he will never respect her again, he will never stop loving her either, even if she does everything wrong.
Lesbia seriously seems to be cheating on Catullus, because this is the second time he's written a poem on the subject. Catullus accuses her of being morally wrong as well as ensuring the ruin of his own mind. Although he also chides himself for loving her so deeply, he makes sure to say that he's being destroyed se officia suo - Catullus never misses a chance to tell the world how committed of a lover he is.
However, he seems to truly be hurt by Lesbia's actions. He says that now no matter what else she does, he cannot possibly ever respect her again. For Catullus, respect is clearly an important aspect of a relationship; for Lesbia, however, it is not. This seems to be a large distinction between them. For all of Catullus's lovey-dovey "She's the best woman in the history of ever" ramblings, Lesbia is not half as morally upright as Catullus is.
Catullus doesn't seem to really care about this, otherwise he would have broken the relationship long ago. He still states that even though he will never respect her again, he will never stop loving her either, even if she does everything wrong.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Catullus 72
Catullus's tone has changed one again. He starts this poem off in the past tense, with emphasis on dicebas and quondam - he talks about things that Lesbia used to do, things that once were. She used to value him so much that she would even choose him over Jupiter. But this is all in the past. Clearly, something big has gone down.
In the next couplet, Catullus discusses two different kinds of love - a kind of love that a common man would hold for his mistress, and the kind of love that a father would have for his sons and sons-in-law. The second kind is different in that it encompasses respect and admiration. Catullus asserts that he loved Lesbia in both kinds of ways, yet now that she has (most likely) cheated on him, the second kind of love is gone.
He also says something interesting - such an insult compels him as a lover to love her more. Perhaps it has made her more unreachable, and that is why he doesn't walk away from her. However, he still claims that respect and admiration are gone from their relationship.
In the next couplet, Catullus discusses two different kinds of love - a kind of love that a common man would hold for his mistress, and the kind of love that a father would have for his sons and sons-in-law. The second kind is different in that it encompasses respect and admiration. Catullus asserts that he loved Lesbia in both kinds of ways, yet now that she has (most likely) cheated on him, the second kind of love is gone.
He also says something interesting - such an insult compels him as a lover to love her more. Perhaps it has made her more unreachable, and that is why he doesn't walk away from her. However, he still claims that respect and admiration are gone from their relationship.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Catullus 86
This poem is yet another attempt to make Lesbia the best woman in the world. As in poem 43, Catullus compares another woman to Lesbia. Quintia, unlike the girl in poem 43 however, is truly possessed of traits that are considered beautiful. She is candida, longa, and recta. Catullus even admits that yes, this woman does have these traits, and yes, these traits should be aspired for.
However, Catullus argues that merely having individual characteristics of beauty does not make one beautiful. He argues that along with being physically attractive, you need charm, wit, and presence. Quintia does not have any of these attributes. Lesbia, in contrast, has inner beauty as well as outward beauty. She is a true Venus. Catullus seems to be stating this not just for women in general; true beauty for everyone is achieving perfection inside and outside.
However, Catullus argues that merely having individual characteristics of beauty does not make one beautiful. He argues that along with being physically attractive, you need charm, wit, and presence. Quintia does not have any of these attributes. Lesbia, in contrast, has inner beauty as well as outward beauty. She is a true Venus. Catullus seems to be stating this not just for women in general; true beauty for everyone is achieving perfection inside and outside.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Catullus 84
Oh noes. Catullus is being a meanie again. D:
In poem 43, Catullus criticized a woman some percieved to be pretty because she was not actually so - at least, in Catullus's humble opinion. He openly made fun of her physical flaws, and even condemned the age he was living in for its incredibly poor taste. Catullus should really look up the meaning of karma.
He does the same thing in poem 84. Catullus blasts Arrius for thinking that he is doing something right when he is clearly not. Arrius pronounces his Hs in a way that is embarrassing, and instead of gently telling him that it just makes him sound more stupid, Catullus sharply mocks him for not understanding his own flaws. He cannot tolerate imperfection; according to Catullus, it is better to not do a thing at all then to do it wrong. Aiming for perfection is clearly not easy - however, Catullus himself should be reminded of his own wrongs. He is obviously not perfect either, for a person of true noble standing would not stoop so low as to sneer at others.
In poem 43, Catullus criticized a woman some percieved to be pretty because she was not actually so - at least, in Catullus's humble opinion. He openly made fun of her physical flaws, and even condemned the age he was living in for its incredibly poor taste. Catullus should really look up the meaning of karma.
He does the same thing in poem 84. Catullus blasts Arrius for thinking that he is doing something right when he is clearly not. Arrius pronounces his Hs in a way that is embarrassing, and instead of gently telling him that it just makes him sound more stupid, Catullus sharply mocks him for not understanding his own flaws. He cannot tolerate imperfection; according to Catullus, it is better to not do a thing at all then to do it wrong. Aiming for perfection is clearly not easy - however, Catullus himself should be reminded of his own wrongs. He is obviously not perfect either, for a person of true noble standing would not stoop so low as to sneer at others.
Catullus 92
A theme is continuing here from poem 83. More trash is being talked in Catullus's happy little love story.
Catullus seems to be happy as he asserts that Lesbia says bad things about him and he about her; in fact, he claims that this is proof that they love one another. Now that's an interesting way to view love.
Catullus says that this is what people in love do: they bicker and tease each other. They are not afraid to show their ugly sides to their partners, and that this is the way you can see true love. Clearly, Catullus and Lesbia recognize each other's faults, and instead of running away from them completely, they humor each other with them.
Once again, Catullus claims that Lesbia loves him because she does not shut up about him. He is always on her mind, and therefore she needs to vent out every little thought that she has about him. Maybe Catullus is right; I personally think that being in love is making him too optimistic for his own good.
Catullus seems to be happy as he asserts that Lesbia says bad things about him and he about her; in fact, he claims that this is proof that they love one another. Now that's an interesting way to view love.
Catullus says that this is what people in love do: they bicker and tease each other. They are not afraid to show their ugly sides to their partners, and that this is the way you can see true love. Clearly, Catullus and Lesbia recognize each other's faults, and instead of running away from them completely, they humor each other with them.
Once again, Catullus claims that Lesbia loves him because she does not shut up about him. He is always on her mind, and therefore she needs to vent out every little thought that she has about him. Maybe Catullus is right; I personally think that being in love is making him too optimistic for his own good.
Catullus 87
This poem is yet another tribute to Catullus's undying love for Lesbia. Someone seems to be a bit vain.
Catullus loudly proclaims that no woman can possibly be loved as much as Lesbia is by him, nor can any faith be found as great as his is in his love. Catullus uses hyperbole, making his statements sound exaggerated and grand; then again, he is talking about love, and if love poetry isn't lofty, I don't know what is. Catullus's use of negatives to prove his point is also interesting. He does not say "Lesbia is more loved than anyone else" or "My faith is greater than anyone else's"; no, he says "Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere..." and "Nulla fides ullo fuit umquam..." There is nothing as powerful as Catullus's love, and this poem suggests that he is prepared to go to high extremes to prove it. It is almost as if he is daring someone to challenge him, and then stand up for his love and claim it through deed as well as word.
Catullus loudly proclaims that no woman can possibly be loved as much as Lesbia is by him, nor can any faith be found as great as his is in his love. Catullus uses hyperbole, making his statements sound exaggerated and grand; then again, he is talking about love, and if love poetry isn't lofty, I don't know what is. Catullus's use of negatives to prove his point is also interesting. He does not say "Lesbia is more loved than anyone else" or "My faith is greater than anyone else's"; no, he says "Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere..." and "Nulla fides ullo fuit umquam..." There is nothing as powerful as Catullus's love, and this poem suggests that he is prepared to go to high extremes to prove it. It is almost as if he is daring someone to challenge him, and then stand up for his love and claim it through deed as well as word.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Catullus 5
People have been noticing Catullus and Lesbia's closeness. And most of them have been old, stern men who can't keep their mouths shut.
Catullus, however, is undaunted. He assures Lesbia and himself to take the value of these rumors at only an assis - they are as worthless as a penny. Catullus also utilizes the theme of carpe diem in this poem. He tells Lesbia that life is short. Humans are not like suns; they are not reborn everyday. For humans, when "our brief light dies once, we must sleep in one everlasting night." Catullus urges Lesbia to live her life now, before she is erased from the world forever.
This is exactly why Catullus encourages Lesbia to give him thousands, hundreds of kisses. When will she have a chance to do so again, if not now? It's a good argument, and it's safe to assume that Lesbia succumbs to Catullus's demands.
However, Catullus is not rash. He says "Conturbabimus illa!" so that none will know of his and Lesbia's sacred love. He does not want anything to ruin this love, least of all someone who might curse them with their rumors and evil intentions.
Catullus, however, is undaunted. He assures Lesbia and himself to take the value of these rumors at only an assis - they are as worthless as a penny. Catullus also utilizes the theme of carpe diem in this poem. He tells Lesbia that life is short. Humans are not like suns; they are not reborn everyday. For humans, when "our brief light dies once, we must sleep in one everlasting night." Catullus urges Lesbia to live her life now, before she is erased from the world forever.
This is exactly why Catullus encourages Lesbia to give him thousands, hundreds of kisses. When will she have a chance to do so again, if not now? It's a good argument, and it's safe to assume that Lesbia succumbs to Catullus's demands.
However, Catullus is not rash. He says "Conturbabimus illa!" so that none will know of his and Lesbia's sacred love. He does not want anything to ruin this love, least of all someone who might curse them with their rumors and evil intentions.
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