Verse - Rejection in love Flashcards
What is the poem about?
Catullus talking to himself and trying to reassure himself about his love for Lesbia
What are the two themes in the poem?
- The end of a relationship
- The emotional intensity of a love affair
What is miser Catulle?
A direct address at the start that grabs the readers attention
On the first line what is the instruction in the subjunctive?
Desinas ineptire
What device is used in the second line?
Alliteration to reinforce finality (perisse perditum)
What does the third line show?
It is wishful thinking - the line shows the affair is over and is repeated in line 8
Why is “ventitanas” used in the forth line?
It is a frequentative verb showing how he used to hang on her every moment and she provided happy times
What do volebas, nec and nolebat on line 7, show?
They show the one way relationship
Where is the turning point in the poem?
After line 8, beginning of line 9
What is the turning point followed by?
A string of prohibitions followed by even more forceful positive imperatives
What is the significant of “perfer, obdura” being next to each other
They mean the same thing, command, and emphasis his advice
Why is there repetition of the verb “obdura” in a different form on line 12 (obdurat)
Emphasis being a surviver
What happens from line 13 onwards?
Catullus adresses the girl but isn’t expecting a response (he is convincing himself) He does this by saying sharp questions
What is the importance of repeating “obdura” in the last sentence?
Reinforces again how strong he must be and how he should move on
