Catullus Struggles With Love Notes Flashcards
‘Homini’
Who is he writing about?
Initially about people in general but then it is clear he is only thinking about himself
What is a better translation of ‘cogitat’?
Reflects instead of thinks
Give examples of religious vocab
Sanctam
Divum
Numine
What does the religious vocab mean?
Pium
Indicates how he feels he has always acted honestly in accordance with the Gods’ wishes. He therefore deserves something good in return
‘Nec… Nec… Nullo’
What does this do?
Why are we doubtful?
Forceful negatives to make a point
One might question how strong his argument is though- has he done anything more than expected?
Why is ‘voluptas’ emphasised at the end of the line?
In a cynical way
Shows that there might not actually be any pleasure
Why is ‘gaudia’ delayed?
Creates anticipation
Why is ‘gaudia’ put next to ‘amore’?
Love and joy should go together but for Catullus, it is not a natural combination
In lines 5-6, who is Catullus addressing?
Himself
What does ‘ingrato’ do?
Signals his discontent explicitly for the first time
‘Quaecumque homines’ where is this elsewhere?
What is the effect?
In the opening lines
He generalises about ‘people’ but really he is only talking about himself
What structure are ‘dicere’ and ‘facere’ in?
Chiastic (ABAB)
Neat
Which words pick up ‘dicere’ and ‘facere’?
Dicta
Facta
What is the vocab like in lines 7-8?
What is the effect?
Bland and vague
Reflects his depressed state of mind
How is line 9 emphatic?
It is a single sentence and is emphatic after the longer sentences before
‘Ingratae’ line 9 picks up what word?
‘Ingrato’ line 6
Which two words could be financial imagery?
What does this show?
‘Perierunt’ and ‘credita’
Adds weight to show he thinks he is owed something
Which word in line 9 is a contrast of his emotional state?
‘Menti’
What is hendiadys?
One idea conveyed in two adjectives
Give five ways in which lines 10-12 are emphatic?
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
Give two metaphors
‘Animo offirmas’
‘Istinc teque reducis’
How is line 12 a sibilant line?
Line of disgust
Lots of hissing sounds
What is repeated in lines 13-14?
Why?
‘Difficile est’
Highlights his predicament
What juxtaposition brings out the difficulty of the task?
‘Longum’
‘Subito’
What anaphora is there in lines 14-16?
'Hoc... Haec... Hoc... Hoc' 'Sive non pote... Sive pote' Reinforced by 'Efficias' and 'facias' Double spondiac Gerundive of obligation
What is the purpose of the anaphora in lines 14-16?
Created a determined, military theme
What is the typical beginning of a prayer?
‘O di si…’
Oh gods if every you help people, now do this
How is a sense of pleading created in lines 17-19?
Two imperatives
Three ‘if’ clauses
How do lines 17-19 suggest self-mockery?
The language is exaggerated
Not actually on his death bed
What sounds are very common in lines 19-20?
What does this show?
‘M’
Indicates misery
Shows his strength of feeling and emotion combined with the painful physical effects of his love
Which phrase reminds us of the beginning of the poem?
‘Si vitam puriter egi’
How do we know the focus is on himself in lines 19-21?
‘Me… Egi… Mihi… Mihi’
What sort of language is in lines 20-22?
Medical
Reminds of jealousy takes over but more subtle
What word does ‘laetitias’ remind us of?
‘Voluptas’
In both cases, joy seems to be missing
What’s the purpose of ‘omnia’ in line 22?
Adds force to the disease
When catullus says that he doesnt want any change from lesbia, what does this indicate?
His anger and exasperation at her
So he tries to make his prayer reasonable
What word does he repeat in line13 like line 25?
What does this show?
‘Deponere’
His wishes are clear
Who is the imperative of ‘reddite’ aimed at? Which idea does it repeat?
To the Gods
The idea of lines 1-9 when he wants good things
‘Pietate’ in line 26 picks up which word? What does it reinstate?
‘Pium’
The Idea he thinks he deserves better for his ‘goodness’
What is the context of this poem?
Comes towards the end of the love affair between Catullus and Lesbia
What is this poem about?
Catullus has been a faithful lover to her but now he must get over his love
What is the structure of this poem?
An interior dialogue where thenpoet addresses himself and persuades himself to change his behaviour and partly as a prayer to the Gods
This poem falls into two halves. What are they?
Lines 1-12 describe his predicament
Lines 13-26 show him agonising over a solution
What are the themes of this poem?
His mental struggle Emotional and personal language Religious and financial imagery His egocentricity Advice
