Catullus Struggles With Love Notes

Question 1

‘Homini’

Who is he writing about?

Answer 1

Initially about people in general but then it is clear he is only thinking about himself

Question 2

What is a better translation of ‘cogitat’?

Answer 2

Reflects instead of thinks

Question 3

Give examples of religious vocab

Answer 3

Sanctam
Divum
Numine

Question 4

What does the religious vocab mean?

Answer 4

Pium
Indicates how he feels he has always acted honestly in accordance with the Gods’ wishes. He therefore deserves something good in return

Question 5

‘Nec… Nec… Nullo’
What does this do?
Why are we doubtful?

Answer 5

Forceful negatives to make a point

One might question how strong his argument is though- has he done anything more than expected?

Question 6

Why is ‘voluptas’ emphasised at the end of the line?

Answer 6

In a cynical way

Shows that there might not actually be any pleasure

Question 7

Why is ‘gaudia’ delayed?

Answer 7

Creates anticipation

Question 8

Why is ‘gaudia’ put next to ‘amore’?

Answer 8

Love and joy should go together but for Catullus, it is not a natural combination

Question 9

In lines 5-6, who is Catullus addressing?

Answer 9

Himself

Question 10

What does ‘ingrato’ do?

Answer 10

Signals his discontent explicitly for the first time

Question 11

‘Quaecumque homines’ where is this elsewhere?

What is the effect?

Answer 11

In the opening lines

He generalises about ‘people’ but really he is only talking about himself

Question 12

What structure are ‘dicere’ and ‘facere’ in?

Answer 12

Chiastic (ABAB)

Neat

Question 13

Which words pick up ‘dicere’ and ‘facere’?

Answer 13

Dicta

Facta

Question 14

What is the vocab like in lines 7-8?

What is the effect?

Answer 14

Bland and vague

Reflects his depressed state of mind

Question 15

How is line 9 emphatic?

Answer 15

It is a single sentence and is emphatic after the longer sentences before

Question 16

‘Ingratae’ line 9 picks up what word?

Answer 16

‘Ingrato’ line 6

Question 17

Which two words could be financial imagery?

What does this show?

Answer 17

‘Perierunt’ and ‘credita’

Adds weight to show he thinks he is owed something

Question 18

Which word in line 9 is a contrast of his emotional state?

Answer 18

‘Menti’

Question 19

What is hendiadys?

Answer 19

One idea conveyed in two adjectives

Question 20

Give five ways in which lines 10-12 are emphatic?

Answer 20

The choice and position of ‘excrucies’
The three verbs in second person singular
The use of personal pronouns (tu, te, teque)
Position of ‘miser’ at the end of line
The sentence and first half of poem

Question 21

Give two metaphors

Answer 21

‘Animo offirmas’

‘Istinc teque reducis’

Question 22

How is line 12 a sibilant line?

Answer 22

Line of disgust

Lots of hissing sounds

Question 23

What is repeated in lines 13-14?

Why?

Answer 23

‘Difficile est’

Highlights his predicament

Question 24

What juxtaposition brings out the difficulty of the task?

Answer 24

‘Longum’

‘Subito’

Question 25

What anaphora is there in lines 14-16?

Answer 25

'Hoc... Haec... Hoc... Hoc'
'Sive non pote... Sive pote'
Reinforced by
'Efficias' and 'facias'
Double spondiac
Gerundive of obligation

Question 26

What is the purpose of the anaphora in lines 14-16?

Answer 26

Created a determined, military theme

Question 27

What is the typical beginning of a prayer?

Answer 27

‘O di si…’

Oh gods if every you help people, now do this

Question 28

How is a sense of pleading created in lines 17-19?

Answer 28

Two imperatives

Three ‘if’ clauses

Question 29

How do lines 17-19 suggest self-mockery?

Answer 29

The language is exaggerated

Not actually on his death bed

Question 30

What sounds are very common in lines 19-20?

What does this show?

Answer 30

‘M’
Indicates misery
Shows his strength of feeling and emotion combined with the painful physical effects of his love

Question 31

Which phrase reminds us of the beginning of the poem?

Answer 31

‘Si vitam puriter egi’

Question 32

How do we know the focus is on himself in lines 19-21?

Answer 32

‘Me… Egi… Mihi… Mihi’

Question 33

What sort of language is in lines 20-22?

Answer 33

Medical

Reminds of jealousy takes over but more subtle

Question 34

What word does ‘laetitias’ remind us of?

Answer 34

‘Voluptas’

In both cases, joy seems to be missing

Question 35

What’s the purpose of ‘omnia’ in line 22?

Answer 35

Adds force to the disease

Question 36

When catullus says that he doesnt want any change from lesbia, what does this indicate?

Answer 36

His anger and exasperation at her

So he tries to make his prayer reasonable

Question 37

What word does he repeat in line13 like line 25?

What does this show?

Answer 37

‘Deponere’

His wishes are clear

Question 38

Who is the imperative of ‘reddite’ aimed at? Which idea does it repeat?

Answer 38

To the Gods

The idea of lines 1-9 when he wants good things

Question 39

‘Pietate’ in line 26 picks up which word? What does it reinstate?

Answer 39

‘Pium’

The Idea he thinks he deserves better for his ‘goodness’

Question 40

What is the context of this poem?

Answer 40

Comes towards the end of the love affair between Catullus and Lesbia

Question 41

What is this poem about?

Answer 41

Catullus has been a faithful lover to her but now he must get over his love

Question 42

What is the structure of this poem?

Answer 42

An interior dialogue where thenpoet addresses himself and persuades himself to change his behaviour and partly as a prayer to the Gods

Question 43

This poem falls into two halves. What are they?

Answer 43

Lines 1-12 describe his predicament

Lines 13-26 show him agonising over a solution

Question 44

What are the themes of this poem?

Answer 44

His mental struggle
Emotional and personal language
Religious and financial imagery
His egocentricity
Advice