Catullus Poem 92 Notes

Question 1

How is the symmetry of the relationship mirrored?

Answer 1

In the symmetry of the verse

Question 2

How is there symmetry?

Answer 2

Her criticising becomes him criticising and him perishing if he isn’t loved becomes him perishing if he doesn’t love

Question 3

What does the enjambment show?

Answer 3

Incessant talking and unending stream of words

Question 4

What else shows the incessant talking?

Answer 4

Tautology of ‘dicit semper’ and ‘nec tacet umquam’

Question 5

What does the repetition show?

Answer 5

She is never silent and constantly repeats herself

Question 6

Why is there a question?

Answer 6

Sets up an imaginary dialogue with the reader

Question 7

What did people think ‘deprecor’ meant?

Answer 7

Pray for relief from

Question 8

What is line 4 framed by?

Answer 8

‘Assidue… amo’ all the time… love

Question 9

What is the overall message he is trying to give?

Answer 9

She complains and I complain but I love her so that must mean she loves me

Question 10

What keeps the two of them intimate?

Answer 10

Lesbia is next to ‘me’ twice