Introduction

Catullus stand alone amongst Roman authors of his time. Perhaps he might be compared with Martial a century later; Though both lacked patrons due to their rather deviant artistes, Martial differed from Catullus in both style (he wrote in Epigrams) and that he wrote far more for humor than Catullus did out of passion. Catullus was distinguished by his defiance of traditional poetics. Though he composed masterfully with skill in meter which only the Muse could grant, well educated in Greek poetry, Catullus did not take an educated approach to his writings.

Indeed, the fundamental idea which is the lifeblood of Catullus's compositions is what it feels like to be human. Ordinary people do not think of their lives in allegories searching to escape from the prison of ignorance only to discover the truth of the universe, as the Greeks wrote, nor do they honestly believe they hold a single purpose to serve the state to which they belong. No, the true human experience is passion, whether love, hate, sorrow, or dedication to one's beliefs. Catullus brought forth these things in his writings, ennobling the base impulses and sensations of human existence to portrayal with fine art.

I selected my five poems based on fame and diversity of Catullus's works. Catullus 2 discusses his feelings about the affection a girl to whom he is attracted displays toward her pet sparrow. It is noteworthy for the mild suggestive language used in its suggestions and how Catullus seems to compare the gravity of cares and sorrows. Catullus five is perhaps most famous. A classic example of his love poetry, it calls to disregard reputation and the scoffing of elders in order to embrace life and love, demonstrating his fascination to truly embrace that passion. Catullus 18 is a cruel and sarcastic series of insults directed at the girlfriend of an acquaintance, a prime example of how artfully rude Catullus can be in poetically expressing his feelings. Catullus 61 is included because not only is it an example of his longer style of poetry, but it also serves as an antithesis for 5, and i will discuss the synthesis which we can draw from the two. Finally, Catullus 101 is in mourning of his brother, not a profound or religious commentary, it is simply about frustration and sorrow without thought he feels at the time.

While Catullus had many faces and subjects in his writings, all were inspired by real life passion and sensation. Personally, as an attempting intellectual, I find myself far too often assessing things beyond their meaning to myself and those around me. I have written much about the human experience in its profundity and quest for enlightenment, but Catullus has shed a different light on it for me. Perhaps the human experience is not conflicting ideals and rationales, but the delights, frustrations, furies and sorrows of our daily lives. Living in the moment has never seemed so graceful, so powerful are the poetics of Catullus.

Catullo Adflatum

Manga anas, Cleopatrae meae, plastica delecta
balneō te illa amat, sed Fors miseram me odit. 
Scribens poemates solus sine tē ebibet.
Dixi, "te amo," nonne te futuam nunc?
 
Cum Hymenaeum conubio alius invoco Hymen              V
Venus straminem scindet sexualis.
Familia maxima mihi dictō illō cura erit
Coitus gratior una mēcum ludentē est. 

Ave Diana! Tu dea lunaris noctis, dea tu 
quae puerperis vocata, ave dea tu                     X
castitate, Cleopatram adiuves maneat casta
dum eam mihi relinquas, O Magna! 

Tē ecce Catulle, poematem adflatum. Turbidum not est, 
certe non cupientē scriptum puerō,
non sine propositō sed metrō fortasse magnō,          XV
illa te amaret si roborem habueris. 

Notes: 
1. Anas, anatis, f. Duck.   Plasticus,a,um. adj. Plastic/rubber.      2. Balneus, i, n, bath    
 3 Ebibere, to drink in, suck   4 Futuere, To have sex  (rude) 
5. Hymenaeus, i, god of marriage/weddings. Hymen (Chant for Hymenaeus) conubius, i, wedding 
6. straminis, is, straw used for bedding. Scindere, to tear  7. Ludere +Ablative, to play with (sexually) 
10. Puerpera, ae, woman in childbirth   13. adflo, adflare, adflavi, adflatus, to inspire 
15. Propositum, i, n.  Purpose, design, plan. Metrum, i, n.  Meter 
16.  Robus, Roboris, m.  Oak, purpose, hard core, wood. 

Catullus Critical Essays

"Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2004.11.01." The Bryn Mawr Classical Review. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

Essay 1:

Catullus has several distinctly different kinds of poems among the works which we have read with varying importance and approach throughout the ages. The Renaissance focused on Catullus's long Wedding poems (See Catullus 61) and the 1700s focues on epigrams for example. In general, however, we see three different versions of Catullus. The first and most known is the Romanitc Catullus, the ideal that Catullus's poems on life and love are the most significant of his works, to the exclusion of his mini epics and such. This version of Catullus is characterized by a general rebellion against the Roman status quo, inspired by emotion. This explains his variation between loving and verbally abusive poems, however it does miss some key aspects of his writing. The second view is the Modernist Catullus, taking a new approach to poetry. While he was indeed a member of the Poetae Novi, and his approach to both short and long poems was quite new and associable with Modernism, he also studied Greek works and employed their styles and meters, so this does not entirely fit Catullus either. The final and most recent perspective on Catullus is the Roman Catullus, which views Catullus as a true embodiment of Roman culture for his time, managing to explain his beliefs/superstitions, cultural references, and emotions. However, it is best to read Catullus's works without much consideration of the author, as all poetry. While it is impossible in reading poetry to not consider the author to some degree, this is best put aside for interpretation.

In my attempts to approach Catullus I have attempted to take poems from all categories of his writing so that I could get a better general picture of Catullus. I had ultimately come to view Catullus as something in between all these ideas, and I can certainly see that I had taken each of these approaches at some point in my reading. In whole, My understanding of Catullus was that he was a Roman author who held rebellious, youthful sentiments which he acted on through his passion and talent for poetry. I think the part of this essay which most deepened my understanding was the Roman approach to Catullus, surprisingly, taking the sum of all the references was something I had not yet considered in my approaches. I would agree that it is a much more complete picture than the Romantic Catullus, which did not really explain most of the poems I read. I find it very hard not to think about Catullus in his shorter poems and still be able to appreciate them, due to how contextual they are, so I disagree with the author towards the end. I find it difficult to argue that he meant for these poems to be interpreted without him in mind, since they are so affiliated with his life and relationships, they obviously are not meant to stand alone. Perhaps for the wedding hymns and mini epics one may interpret them attempting to ignore Catullus, but the ones concerning his friends and lovers must be treated as the author intended.

Essay 2: Defining Catullan Poetics: The opening sequence

The intentions of Catullus's book can be spelled out using its opening poems. In his first poem, he introduces various slang words like "lepidus" for sleek and styling, and refers to his work as a "libellus," a diminuative form of the word "book." He also appears as if he is about to deidcate it to Cornelius, as many of his contemporaries dedicated books to a man in power, but then turns around and offers it to the Muse. The language of Catullus 2 when discussing the girl's treatment of the sparrow elicits imagery of what she might do to a lover, and hints at potential jealousy for her affection. This langauge and set of themes sets the tone for Catullus's later poems. It also gives the sense that the Sparrow would now be able to amend his sorrows which he believes to be greater than its owner's. Catullus 3, the mourning of the Sparrow, invokes Venuses and Cupids instead of greater gods of mourning, to show that he is not truly honest in his pity, instead embracing the sexual opportunity that arises from it. Catullus 5 opens with a passionate tone calling for Lesbia to disregard the sentiments of old men. However, the middle portion of the poem hints much at mortality and the purposelessness of life, in true epicurean style. It is easy to read the poem as a gesture of Romantic rebellion which plays a game with love and the number of kisses. Catullus's love poem to Juventius demonstrates that his sense of amor was not entirely heterosexual or intent on family life.

While I would have liked to use and Essay from the Catullus book in the library, I found that since this one addressed several of the poems to which I responded and talked more about the poetry than Catullus's life unlike the other option I found this most suitable for developing my understanding. I like the author's interpretation in the first poem of appearing to dedicate his work to Cornelius and then presenting it to the muse, it certainly works with both the rebellious youth and Roman images of Catullus. Her interpretation of Catullus 2 certainly falls in line with my own, mostly, however I was not sure about Catullus hinting that his own sorrows were greater than the girl's, both the translations seemed straightforward enough. Furthermore, while I had considered the possibility reading Catullus 3 that he was falsely mourning, but ultimately thought that it was sincere in sorrow as I thought he was trying to communicate the empathy he held for this girl. Looking back at it, the pleonasm in the poem could almost set the stage for a dishonest tone, I can certainly see whence the author was coming. I certainly agree with the author on the first part of 5, as my analysis shows, but I did not detect the same morbidity in the middle part, looking back though I agree. I do bash myself, however, for not noticing the number game and allusion to accounting that the author indicates in the later, more famous part of this poem. Number games were a favorite of the Romans, and this has given me further perspective into how they might fit into everyday life. Finally, the last part of the essay was interesting, particularly considering the emphasis Catullus put on the value of marriage in 61 , I am not so certain that this first part set the tone for the entirety of his work. However, historians believe it is possible his first book contained only 1-60, so that would explain the situation.

Catullus 101

http://rudy.negenborn.net/catullus/text2/e101.htm

For my fifth analysis I have elected to find a poem on the subject of death and mourning. I have seen many Roman authors take different approaches to the subject to death and dying, some find it very appropriate to mourn on many spiritual and social levels, others let it serve as a reminder to live life to the fullest; I hope to see what Catullus felt on the matter. Thus I have chosen his 101st dedicated to the death of his brother.

Ultimately, Catullus here is grieving and respectful. He seems distraught carrying out these, " wretched funeral rites" and complains about how he is speaking, "in vain to silent ashes." This language obviously implicates natural frustration along the process to acceptance of his brother's death. Sadness is the dominating emotion, "a gift of sadness in the rites, accept them, flowing with many brotherly tears, And for eternity, my brother, hail and farewell." Ultimately this is a very Roman, respectful goodbye. More than Roman, it is a very simple, human reaction. I was going to talk about more stoicism, but I think I've stumbled upon the actuality of the situation: Catullus is once again using poetry to instead of layering complex philosophy simply express feelings and the plight of the human condition. I believe this is what makes Catullus who he is as a writer.

I spent a fair bit of time contemplating the implications of the lines,

"Since fortune has borne you, yourself, away from me.

Oh, poor brother, snatched unfairly away from me,"

contemplating how Catullus used the personified "fortune" as an outside force that while beyond Catullus's control has not regard for justice, "unfairly" snatching his brother away. How many times have saddened heroes cried, O cruel Fate" at the loss of a comrade? Catullus does not talk about the inevitability of death, life after death or lack thereof, family ties and living up to brother's wishes, ancestors, pietas, or anything of the sort. My first impression was that frankly this approach is quite boring. But it is realistic, mundane, more human than any other approch, and that is what Catullus captures in his art and poetry.

Catullus 61

Translation 1 from The Portable Roman Reader, Davenport

Translation 2 http://rudy.negenborn.net/catullus/text2/e61.htm

Catullus's view on weddings/marriage:

This was a most interesting poem indeed to choose, as it further's our understanding of Catullus's approach to love. In Catullus 5, he seems to take a very epicurean approach to the living and loving he encourages, living and enjoying oneself without cosndieration for elders and their scorning. However, the Epicureans did not support marriage, believing it placed far too much stress on an individual, particularly in raising children. However, here Catullus praises Hymen, clearly placing huge importance on marriage and thus his numen as a diety,

" Who would dare be

compared to this god? Without you, no family can give
children, and no parent can rely on his offspring, but he
can when you are willing. Who would dare be compared to this
god? A land that lacked your holy rites would not be able to
give guardians to its borders: but it would if you were
willing. Who would dare be compared to this god? "

Now from what we've previously seen of Catullus, we could expect that this is because one can more freely and securely enjoy the pleasures of sex. However, he also says, "Sex can seize nothing of benefit without

you, because a good reputation demonstrates one’s goodness, but sex can do this when you are willing." This is almost Stoic in its ideals of marriage and sex serving the role of reproduction, and that marriage is the only way to make sex decent for building a good reputation. However, he does manage to get in,

"O marriage bed, which for everyone... How

numerous the pleasures of the ivory-footed marriage bed come
to your husband, which, on a restless night, and in the
middle of the day, may he enjoy!"

demonstrating that this is not a different author simply writing under Catullus's name. However, the sum of all these things does demonstrate that Catullus put value in family structure and stability. Combined with his praise and celebration of its patron deity, this fulfills two of the three layers of Stoic pietas, being at perfect terms with family, country, and the gods.

Reconsidering it, this is not actually all that surprising. Catullus is certainly a devoted and rebellious youth, upset at the power plays of the elders. How many young people in literature and in life fantasize about the joys and importance of marriage? I know engaged couples in my grade, it is obvious that this is the fantasy of boys and girls alike who are consumed with ideals of love and intimacy. It would make sense then, that Catullus would write about it so fondly. Catullus clearly supports devotion and fidelity,

"Anointed groom, you will be criticized for keeping away from

your bald, effeminate slaves, but keep away from them. Yo!
Hymen Hymenaeus, yo! Yo! Hymen Hymenaeus! We know that these
peccadilloes (which are permitted to you) are the only ones
you have known, but they are not permitted to a married man."

which makes sense due to how much trouble it was for him to court Lesbia, sleeping with so many men. He also encourages the benefits of dedicated motherhood, citing with allusion the mothering of Telemachus by Penelope. Thus in this poem we see how Stoicism extends beyond the ideals of old and wealthy Roman patrons seeking a more united state and appeals to the youth in some fashion. Seeking stability in life, finding purpose and meaning in living responsibly, all tempting to confused and anxious youth pressured for greatness in upperclass upbringing. This poem has not only taught me more about Catullus, but the nature of youth.

Catullus 5

http://rudy.negenborn.net/catullus/text2/e5.htm

Widely acclaimed by Famous Roman Authors:

"This poem was among my many youthful inspirations for poetry. No one makes Epicureans ideals seem more attractive than Catullus? Catullus highlights the brilliance of life and artfully brings out the joys of love. Catullus approaches love like everyone should: friends with benefits, intellectual exchange smothered in sexual pleasure. it makes for better life, with worry of posterity and responsibility put aside. Who should care of scandals and rumors? We are Romans, ours is pursuit of the truth."-Horace

"I wish I were as bold as Catullus was. Far from propaganda to any philosophy or school of thought, Catullus does not care what others think or speak of him, and simply expresses the thoughts and feelings of everyday life. He brings us into the here and now, truly representing what it is to be a Roman in this era. His use of meter is unrivaled. What Catullus lacks in tradition he makes up for in skill." Vergil

"Catullus's extensive and artful use of Greek meter and literary devices to express his ideas of love demonstrate that he has much time on his hands and little else on his mind, which explains why he is having so much difficulty courting Lesbia. This poem is base and lacking in any depth or intellectual layering, and does not deserve to be remembered as symbolic of the Roman State. There is a reason there are no Epicureans to sponsor him, they do not work hard enough to earn that money or influence. His invention of words such as "basium" pollute his poetry as Rome does the Tiber." Cicero

Catullus Biography

Catullus was a Roman author of the Late Republic. He was born around 84 BCE. (Dates range from 87-82), and though his death date is unknown, we do know that he stopped writing poetry around 54 BCE., so historians presume that this is the date of his death. Catullus was born into an elite Roman family, which like many others of its kind played the power game in Rome.

Catullus was born in Verona. This fact is important to us because it gives us further background of the upbringing Of Catullus. Though he was brought up in an elite family, he was somewhat of a country bumpkin, but would likely have a good command of Greek as a part of a strong education.

Poetry was a common upper-class practice in Ancient Rome, playing a popular role in social events. However, Catullus's decision to dedicate his http://www.nndb.com/people/937/000094655/catullus-5-sized.jpg

entire life to Poetry was certainly a deviation from cultural norms and expectations, a move almost rebellious against Patrician culture.

One will note that his poetry frequently mocks the lifestyle of politics and war. He was part of a group called the poetae novi, or "New Poets," who took from Hellenistic Greek traditions. Most notably, this style does not pursue epic poetry so much as poetry in everyday life. Catullus strove to make his poems inherently beautiful in language and rhythm. Most of Catullus's meter was elegiac, though some poems demonstrate hendecasyllabic. Catullus is responsible for the introduction of many new words to Latin literature, as was the tradition of the poetae novi, most notably the slang word "basium" for kiss.

Catullus is most known for his love poems to "Lesbia," his pen name for a woman by the name of Clodia when he moved to Rome in 61 BCE. Clodia was involved with many powerful and influential men. Catullus's idea of love was a relationship which combined intellecutual exchange and sensual pleasure.

Catullus 18

"Formian's Girlfriend" Translation from: "Latin Literature in Translation" from Library and Media Center (Catullus 18 is often considered spurious and is hard to find, but I found it in a printed assortment of Latin works and found it curious)

I hear so often about this poem amongst the greatest of Catullus's works. It is not at a loss for any literary value. The Rhyming in this translation does not at all bring concern that it goes not reflect the original Latin. This use of sarcasm clearly reflects the pinnacle of Catullus's literary skill, and does not hold back in using many other rhetorical devices. How could Lesbia resist poems such as this? Such great dignity in mocking the lovers of others! Society today clearly has no taste if you are among the most revered of Roman authors.

Well that was fun, thought I would see how it is to be like Catullus. I am not certain exactly as to why this poem is spurious, what doubts we have about its origin. This poem is obviously, really quite mean.

It's almost odd to read something so forthcoming and single-layered. But I always find myself looking for profundity, so why did I choose this poem? It is certainly different from anything I've seen before, I haven't seen poetry used for basic, direct insults before. I could begin guessing about time period, more than guessing, but I believe that is not the point of the assignment in this phase.

I suppose what I like about this poem other than it's sarcasm is that Catullus insults the girl's grammar and intelligence in addition to appearance, and takes an elitist taste approach rather than just saying that she's ugly. I do enjoy the translator's English wit, the poem sounds almost Shakespearean, I think Catullus would be proud.