Catullus 13

Question 1

quaeris quot mihi basiationes tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque

Answer 1

You ask how many of your kisses may be enough and more than enough for me, Lesbia

Catullus seems to be answering a question from Lesbia about how many kisses are enough. This gives him the chance to play with the answer ‘no limit’ and to intellectualise it in the form of a poem. Lesbia was not only beautiful, but intellegent, well-read and witty. ‘basitiones seems to be a word coined by Catullus, perhaps to make it more learned-sounding but also humorous and cute

Question 2

satis superque

Answer 2

are enough with some to spare

Question 3

quam magmus numerus Libyssae harenae lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis, oraclum lovis inter aestuois et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum

Answer 3

As much as the great number of grains of Libyan sand that lies in the silphium bearing Cyrene between the sweltering Jupiter and the sacred tomb of old Battus

The first image- as many kisses as there are grains of sand which is too many to count. A fairly commonplace comparison, but Catullus makes it distinct by placing it geographically and adding learned references like ‘silphium-bearing Cyrene’. This plant was Cyrene’s main export. Catullus probably liked the sound of the word ‘lasarpiciferis’- silphium bearing, too. Jupiter in his African form Ammon, has a temple and oracle on the border between Egypt and Libya. ‘sweltering’ Jupiter may also have the same connection as today (Jupiter was famous for his affairs) as well as referring to the heat of the desert. King Battus’ tomb was in Cyrene. Wy does Catullus make a point of mentioning Battus and placing the sands in Cyrene? An influential greek poet called Callimachus was born in Cerene and called himself ‘a sone of Battus’ so it is likely Catullus would expect Lesbia and his readers to pick up and appreciate this learned reference (just the poetic name Lesbia is a learned refernce to the Greek poet of Lesbos, Sappho)

Question 4

aut quam sidera multa cum tacet nox, furtivos hominum vident amores

Answer 4

or as much as the many stars when the night is silent, that see the stolen loves of men

The second image- as many kisses as there are stars- is another commonplace comparison. However, night and stars also suggest the secret, illicit nature of the affair with Lesbia

Question 5

tam te basia multa basiare vestano satis et super Catullo est

Answer 5

to kiss you so many kisses is enough and more for your insane catullus

The ‘tam’ picks up the ‘quam’ in lines 3 and 7. ‘basia…basiare’ the alliteration and assonence here emphasises the amount of kissing and picks up on ‘basiatones of line 1. ‘vestano’- insane, is a strong term especially coming after the more light-hearted tone of the earlier line. ‘satis et super’- is enough and more, picks up on ‘satis superque’- are enough with some to spare, of line 2. Catullo- note tat he uses his name in the third person instead of saying ‘me’, perhaps making his judgement seem more detached

Question 6

vestano Catullo

Answer 6

insane catullus

He is madly in love with her

Question 7

que nec pernumerare curiosi possint nec mala fascinare lingua

Answer 7

a number which the curious are not able to count up nor to bewitch with an evil tongue

The poem ends on a less happy note: there was a superstition that people could cast an evil spell on you if they knew the exact number of something personal relating to you (here, the number of kisses shared between Catullus and Lesbia). Not only does Catullus take the opportunity of telling Lesbia they can never have enough kisses, emphasizing their great love, but he also flags up a practical side to not knowing the exact number- they can thwart busybodies who might want to put a curse on them. This suggests that Catullus and Lesbia were aware that some people disapprove of their affair

Question 8

What was silphium?

Answer 8

a well known aphrodisiac- drug that makes you fall in love

Question 9

nec mala fasincare lingua

Answer 9

nor to bewitch with an evil tongue

Evil spell

Question 10

What does this poem have throughout it?

Answer 10

a mix of register- cute, lovey dovey words along with references to literature known by those well-read. mixing up the tones

Question 11

quaris quot

Answer 11

you ask how many

alliteration

Question 12

sint satis superque

Answer 12

may be enough and more than enough

alliteration

Question 13

tam te basia multa basiare

Answer 13

to kiss you so many kisses

assonce of ‘a’ and repetition of bas sound