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.