Catullus 72

Question 1

nosse

knew

Answer 1

In the biblical sense ;)

Question 2

Catullem,

Lesbia Iovem

Answer 2

Places his name at the end of the line- same for Jupiter. Contrasting the two.
Catullus and Lesbia together but on different lines. Union but also disunion between them.

Question 3

Structure of the poem

Answer 3

First four lines talk about ‘then’

Last four about ‘now’

Question 4

dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam

at that time i loved you not as the mob loves a girlfriend

Answer 4

strong sequence of alliterative, monosyllabic words.
vulgus amicam is derogatory, and gives a strong sense of a temporary arrangement
also its juxtaposed with start of next line, about fatherly love.

Question 5

impensius/ vilior et levior

all the more passionately/cheap and fickle

Answer 5

juxtaposition.

vilior picks up vulgus amicam

Question 6

qui potis est, inquis?

Answer 6

address makes the reader expect an explanation, instead they get a repeat of the paradox in less passionate, more clinical terms

Question 7

quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus
becuase hurt like this forces a lover to love more, but to like less

Answer 7

repetition of ‘love’ shows the inevitability of this cycle.

iniuria- implies unfaithfulness

Question 8

cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus

to love more, but to like less

Answer 8

chiastic arrangement