Poem 17: Analysis (eng)

Question 1

There was a time, Lesbia, when you confessed only to Catullus in love: (1-2)

Answer 1

• you used to say, Lesbia, that you knew Catullus alone (only)
• Lesbia used to say that she would love him and him only, but she had other affairs
• ‘confessed’ - latin is ‘nosse’, to know. The word is a euphemism for sex. Used to only sleep with Catullus and be with him, now she’s sleeping with others

Question 2

You would set me above Jupiter himself. (3)

Answer 2

• reference to poem 16 previously. Another use of familiar trope. Lesbia obviously familiar with this sort fo poetry. Instills doubt in Catullus of her faithfulness (even perhaps intentions?)
• Catullus used to be so special to her he was seven above Jupiter (in her eyes/for her)

Question 3

I loved you then not as men love their women but as a father his children - his family. (4-6)

Answer 3

• ‘I loved’ - not only found her attractive, but cared for her - higher love. Wanted her to flourish like a father would for his children
• ‘I loved you then’ - a significant perfect tense… dilexi
• ‘and as men.. his family.’ - Catullus’ love is more than mere sexual attraction. A more unconditional, permanent love.

Question 4

Today I know you too well and desire burns deeper in me (7-8)

Answer 4

• ‘I know you’ - Catullus echoes Lesbia’s euphemistic ‘know’ with ‘cognovi’ - he understands what she is like now
• ‘and desire burns deeper in me’ - standard metaphor of love as a fire. And Catullus’ jealousy is stoked by Lesbia’s infidelity
  - physical desire - sexual connotations

Question 5

and you are more coarse more frivolous in my thought. (9-10)

Answer 5

• His idealised picture of Lesbia’s a wife, rather than a casual fling has gone. She is just the same as others now.

Question 6

(“How”, you may ask, “can this be?”) (11 - unimportant)

Such actions as yours excite increased violence of love, Lesbia, but with friendless intention. (12-14)

Answer 6

• ‘actions’ - ‘iniuria’, Lesbia’s infidelity. But he still desires her, but not has no illusions about her character. She no longer is wife material.
• he hates her for what she’s done, but he has a deeper desire now for her sexually rather than loves her (hate fucking)
• same thing as before - because she’s sleeping with others, he’s more attracted to her (want something can’t have?)

Question 7

Q. What is Catullus’ attitude towards Lesbia and their relationship in poem 17?

Answer 7

• shows how his feelings have changed, shows his mixed feelings about her, deteriorating from idealistic good feeling, benevolent father type of love - to passion with dislike.
• Types of love: he loves her passionately and romantically but also her her intelligence and personality