Catullus 85

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

elegant and well controlled latin verse used to express the turmoil of his mental state.

Question 2

Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris

why do i do this, perhaps you ask

Answer 2

alliteration of ‘f’, harsh tone of dissonance. Fricatives.
requiris- imaginary interlocutor used to give Catullus an opportunity to state his inability to explain his paradoxical opening.

Question 3

nescio

i dont know

Answer 3

emphatic placement. Lack of understanding.

Question 4

sed fierir sentio et excrucior

but i feel it happening and I am in torment

Answer 4

feelings are blocking his intellectual ability