Catullus 2 Flashcards
Summarise Catullus 2
The bird has died! This is bad because my girl loved the bird. He is over the top and at the end sarcastic as he tries to cheer lesbia up .
What does Passer mean?
Sparrow
What does Orcus mean?
Underworld
What did the naughty girl do?
She was distracted by a golden apple in a running race, and because she won her belt was untied so she could be wed.
Who is the naughty girl? And who undid her belt?
Atalanta,
Hippomenes
- Quick ludere, quem in sinu tenere.
- cui primus digital dare appetenti
Rhyming infinitives to create imagery of playing and holding on her lap.
Polyptoton and Triclinic anaphora.
- Carum nescio quid Iubet iocari
colloquial and informal language.
Dear fun is a euphemism.
- et solaciolum sui doloris
sibilance to emphasise pain.
- pernici aureolum fuisse malurn
Pernici = Crude, not an epic word despite context.
- Quod zonam soluit diu ligatam
Soluit = metaphor as euphemism.
Who did the sparrow belong to?
My girl = Lesbia
What does the sparrow represent?
Euphemism of PP
What did Lesbia often do with the Sparrow?
With whom she often plays, whose she holds on her lap. Whom she is accustomed to give her fingertip for it to nibble.
Why did Lesbia encourage the Sparrow to nibble?
To provoke a sharp bite.
Why does Lesbia play with the sparrow?
To have some dear fun and comfort for her pain.
