Catullus(84-54 B.C.)

Nikki Begnal, Chris Robotham, Chris DeAngelo,

Cal Pettinelli

Life of Catullus

• Born in Verona, Cisalpine Gaul in about 82 B.C.

• Moved to Rome as a young man • Wrote 116 poems that have been saved • Knew Cicero as well as Caelius Rufus

• Lived during period of transition of power in Rome

Life of Catullus

• Became a member of the Neoterics– Catullus 51; Sappho of Lesbos– Particularly influenced by Callimachus– Catullus’ form draws from Callimachus– Acquaintance with Clodia, aka Lesbia– Poems became more depressing with the loss of

Lesbia as well as the loss of his brother in 59 B.C.– Died of an unknown cause at the age of 30

Catullus’s Style of Writing

• Catullus often uses literary devices such as anaphora, as well as ellision and chiasmus

• With this, the word order creates the images of his style

• Writes about personal matters– Lesbia– Family– People he associates with

Catullus 49Disertissime Romuli nepotum,quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli,quotque post aliis erunt in annis,gratias tibi maximas Catullusagit pessimus omnium poeta,tanto pessimus omnium poeta,quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

The most eloquent of descendants of Romulus, However many there are and however many there have been, Marcus Tullus, And however many there will be in other years, Catullus, the worst poet of all, gives the biggest thanks to you, As much as he is the worst poet of all, As you are the best patron of all

Analysis of Catullus 49Meter- HendescallybicFuere- have been, 3rd person plural perfect of verb to

be, signature move of Catullus where he takes off “runt” Quot- anaphora, emphasizes the fact that it doesn’t

matter how there are or have been, Pessimus omnium poeta- anaphora, emphasizes the fact

he is the worst poet of all Gratias tibi maximas Catullus- synchesis ABAB

gratias and maximas mean “biggest thanks” and are the A in the formation, symbolizing the significance

Catullus 92

Lesbia mi dicit semper male nec tacet umquamde me: Lesbia me dispeream nisi amat.quo signo? Quia sunt totidem mea: deprecor illamassidue, uerum dispeream nisi amo.

Lesbia always speaks ill of me, and is not silent at any time About me: may I perish if Lesbia does not love me. By what sign? Because they are the same with me: all the time I pray To be rid of you, but may I perish unless I love you

Analysis of Catullus 92Meter- Elegaic Couplet

Me dispeream- May I perish iussive subj De me: clause, present 1st person singular

2nd conjme- acc singular subject of dispereamMi- syncope, should be mei, changed for

meter

Catullus 43

Salve, nec minimo puella nasonec bello pede nec nigris ocellisnec longis digitis nec ore sicconec sane nimis elegante lingua.Decoctoris amica Formiani,ten provincia narrat esse bellam?Tecum Lesbia nostra comparatur?O saeclum insapiens et infacetum!

Hello girl neither with the smallest nose Nor the pretty foot, nor a black eye, Nor a long finger, nor a dry mouth, Indeed not even an excessively elegant tongue, Mistress of the bankrupt Formiae. Does the province say that you are beautiful? Is it with you our Lesbia is compared? O boorish and foolish age!

Analysis of Catullus 43Meter: Hendecasyllabicsane nimis elegante lingua- nor indeed an

excessively elegant tongue sane- adverb, indeed nimis- adverb, very elegante- nominative singular I stem, modifies

lingua lingua- nominative singular feminine Decoctoris- adjective, genitive single masculineEsse bellam- you are pretty? Indirect statement

Analysis of Catullus 43Bellam- accusative singular feminine, predicate

nominative of esse in the indirect statement

Ten- syncope, e is taken off end for meter purposes subject of indirect statement

Nec- anaphora, emphasizes physical attributes she does not have

O saeclum- apostrophe, addressing age in general Tecum Lesbia nostra comparator- chiasmus ABBA

Minimo- superlative of parvus, smallest

New Vocabulary

1. decoctor, decoctoris m. bankrupt (Catullus 43)

2. saeclum, i n. age (Catullus 43)

3. siccus, a , um dry (Catullus 43)

4. assidue adv. continually (Catullus 92)

5. totidem as many as, the same

You say, my Lesbia, that it would be best if i rid myself of you

You clearly must not understand the feelings of your passionate lover

Now, Catullus, do not relinquish what you once had

For what a woman says one day may hold no truth the next

Why is it that I am unable to rid myself of you, Lesbia?

It is neither your illustrious eyes, nor your salacious swag

My Lesbia, I must profess that I do not know the cause

But that is all the more why Catullus will not relinquish you.