Catullus 45

Question 1

Acmen Septimius suos amores tenens

Septimius holding his lover Acme

Answer 1

Two names together- shows closeness

further emphasized because hes holding her, but her name surrounds him (Acme…suos amores)

Question 2

Acme

Answer 2

Greek name, means ‘peak’ or ‘zenith’- essentially shes top notch. Name also suggests this is a relationship between a Roman and a Greek freedwoman.

Question 3

Why is Catullus 45 special?

Answer 3

It is the only poem in Catullus’ corpus that is an example of fulfilled love.

Question 4

perdite

to distraction

Answer 4

v serious word. Madness etc. Topos?

Question 5

amo at amare

unless i LOVE you to distraction and hereafter am prepared to LOVE you…

Answer 5

repetition

Question 6

omnes sum assidue paratus annos

and hereafter am prepared to love you continually throughout the years

Answer 6

hyperbaton of omnes and annos. all words surround assidue, main word. gives the same effect as a golden line in hexameter

Question 7

quantum qui pote plurimum perire

as much as he who is able to love you the most

Answer 7

alliteration of q and p. Harsh, like perire itself

Question 8

solus in Libya Indiaque tosta

may i alone in Libya and torrid India

Answer 8

solus stresses the danger.
Libya and India are the places where a Roman might meet a lion.
tosta is unnecessary detail- heat is irrelevant if theres a lion in front of you! Has a second meaning- ‘torreo’ to burn with love. - appears in Horace’s odes

Question 9

Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem

Answer 9

Uses the repetition of this clause as a closural device of each section. Brings structure and balance to the poem.
Sneeze is a good omen

Question 10

caesio veniam obvius leoni

meet a green-eyed lion

Answer 10

colour of eyes is irrelevant. Just emphasises how close the lion has gotten.
Theres a reference to a green-eyed lion in Homer’s Illiad.
Theres a reference to a green eyed girl in Lucretius’ catalogue of lover’s euphemisms.

Question 11

caput…ocellos…suaviata…

head, little eyes, lips

Answer 11

travelling down the face.

Question 12

ocellos, Septimille

Answer 12

affectionate diminutives.

Question 13

ebrios
intoxicated (with love)

Answer 13

suggests the relationship between sex and alcohol

Question 14

suaviata

lips

Answer 14

sounds as if its derived from suavis (pleasurable)

Question 15

purpureo

rosy/red

Answer 15

colour imagery suggests his lips are suffused with arousal.

Question 16

‘mea vita Septimille’

my dear septimius, my life

Answer 16

Acme is more affectionate than Septimius, but doesnt offer to prove her love as he does.

Question 17

huic uni domino usque serviamus

let us serve forever this one master

Answer 17

Lyne: concept of being a ‘slave to love’. Common in Roman elegy, but not in Catullus. However, usually it is the man being subservient to the mistress. Here they are both equally subservient to love itself.

Question 18

ut mutlo mihi maior acriorque
ignis mollibus ardet in medullis
as a flame much greater and keener
burns in my tender limbs

Answer 18

repetitions of ‘m’ and ‘ll’. Soothing/ smoldering passion.

Question 19

mutuis animis amant amantur

they love and are loved with mutual feelings

Answer 19

mutuis animis explicitly demarcates the mutuality of their love.
asyndeton of amant amantur suggests equality.

Question 20

ignis mollibus ardet in medullis

a fire tenderly burns in my limbs

Answer 20

ABAB structure

fire, soft, burns, bones

Question 21

Unam Septimius misellus Acmen

poor little Septimius (loves his) one Acme

Answer 21

ABBA chiastic structure. Interlocking affection of the two.

Question 22

Syrias Britanniasque

Syrians and Britons

Answer 22

55BC- Crassus’ unsucessful campaign in Syria, Caesar in Britain. Countries also used as bywords for East and West

Question 23

uno in Septimio fidelis Acme

the faithful Acme… in her one Septimius

Answer 23

goes from plural Syrians and Britons in line above to singulars. emphasises their ‘fidelis’ to each other.

Question 24

facit delicias

takes delight

Answer 24

expands on Acme’s fidelis in the line before even though it sounds flippant. Acme is satisfied with Septimius and doesnt seek pleasure with others.

Question 25

who a more Venerem auspicatiorem

who a more auspicious cupid?

Answer 25

ends w. rhetorical question.

last word picks up on the sneezing cupids. Structre. Recalls the good omen