Catullus 86

Question 1

formosa…formosa…formosa

attractive

Answer 1

repetition of formosa is important to the structure and meaning of the poem.

Question 2

est multis, mihi

Quintia is attractive) to many, I (grant

Answer 2

juxtaposes himself with others to ditance himself from ‘the mob’

Question 3

candida, longa, recta est

she is fair, tall, good posture-

Answer 3

tells us what constituted as beautiful to the Romans. Backed up by Lucretius, Ovid and Horace.

Question 4

nulla venustas
nulla in tam magno est corpore mica salis
no charm,
no grain of salt in so large a body

Answer 4

emphasising lack of ‘venustas’ through juxtaposing big and small.

Question 5

omnibus una omnis
she alone (has stolen) all the charms from everyone

Answer 5

polyptoton of omnes in juxtaposition. Expressing that she has ALL the charms

Question 6

Veneres

charms

Answer 6

emphatic placement at end of poem emphasises importance of this trait to make a woman attractive.
OR
she has stolen men’s penises i.e other women’s partners?? Far less complimentary…..