Catullus Poem 72 Notes Flashcards
How does this poem have symmetry?
Lines 1-4 are then, lines 5-8 are now
How do we know the beginning of the poem is ‘then’?
‘Dicebas’ in the imperfect tense
What is ‘dicebas’ replaced by emphatically?
‘Cognovi’
What is the effect of the verbs in lines 5-8 being in the present tense?
Adds immediacy and vividness to the text
What picks up ‘velle’ in line 2?
Bene velle line 8
What picks up ‘dicebas’ line 1?
‘Inquis’ line 7
How does Catullus address Lesbia?
In the second person
How does Catullus explain the exact nature of his feelings?
Psychological subtlety and recording her words and answering them
Where are the paradoxes in this poem?
Last line between loving and liking. Idea that injustice causes someone to love more but reduces liking
What is surprising about this poem?
People would see liking as a less intense form of loving rather than separate things completely. The comparison of fathers loving their male children relates non- sexual affection to sexual obsession
Which word has a biblical sense?
‘Nosse’ as you only ‘know’ someone that you have had sex with
How is the force of the word ‘nosse’ brought out?
Repetition with ‘nunc cognovi’
What is the message with the ‘knowing’?
She claims she only knows him but as he’s got to know her, he realises that is not true
What is the emphatic positioning of names?
Catullus and Lesbia are next to each other but on different lines to show union and disunion. Jove is in the same place as Catullus on line 2 to compare himself and compete with Jove
What does ‘tenere’ mean here?
To possess
How is Catullus’ attitude o ordinary sexual affection shown?
Verbal juxtaposition of ‘vulgus amicam’
What is the idea behind ‘vulgus’?
Pejorative
What does ‘amicam’ imply?
Strong sense of temporary sexual partner contrasted with the permanency of a wife
What techniques are in line 3?
Alliteration and lots of monosyllabic words
What is the meaning behind ‘sons and sons in law’?
His love was not short-lived and was based on ties stronger than transitory sexual love (like mobs loving girlfriends)
Is his passion for her infidelities greater or lesser?
Greater
What does ‘vilis’ pick up?
Cheapness of ‘vulgus amicam’
How does ‘impensius’ contrast ‘levior’
‘Impensius’ suggests weight to contrast the ‘light’ of ‘levior’
What is the vocabulary of sexual frenzy in the paradox?
‘Impensius uror’
