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.

Catullus 2

Carmen 2:Latin Translation 1, Translation 2

I have gone through Catullus's poems, and between my own interests and the advice of the AP Latin Lit course, and I have elected a list of focus poems. I shall attempt a few means of response here to get the hang of it.

Comparing the two translations and the Latin, it is evident that translation two is significantly more anglicized, not being true to the Latin, more the idea of the line. I always find this risky, as it can take away the ambiguities which the poem might originally contain. for example, the first line "Passer, deliciae meae puellae," Is most literally translated, "Sparrow, of my favorite girl." Translation 1, "Sparrow, favorite of my girl, " is close, and indeed makes more sense in the context of the poem than the literal translation, but translation 2, "Sparrow, my sweet girl’s delight," takes this dilution a step forward.

Though perhaps my analysis best be less picky. I enjoy that translation one uses the grammatically proper "with whom" and "for whom," as opposed to the second places the prepositions at the end of clauses. I like the chunky, accurate translation for its value, using all the extra words and structures needed to represent a far more complicated language than itself. However, there is a certainly lack of poetry found there. In the second translation, that enjoyability is present.

Ultimately, despite its lack of faith, the second poem achieves with greater finesse what Catullus set out. I like, "whenever my shining desire wishes to play with something she loves," much more than "When it is pleasing for my shining desire to make some kind of joke and a relief of her grief." And indeed it is much more compact and thought provoking to say, "while strong passion abates" than,"so that her heavy passion may become quiet."

Alright, there I said it, but reading it in Latin is still best! I picked this poem because, having scanned many, there is clearly a more straightforward Catullus, portraying things simpler, like basic romantic desires, or in this case, the joy inspired by his girlfriend's sparrow. It's not even about sympathy, the joy he experiences seeing his girlfriend happy, or jealousy, just the happiness spawned by the sparrow. There is a certain elegance to this sort of poem, a good warm up.

Metamorphosis Response 3

His entire body was aching, but it seemed to him as if the pains were gradually fading and would ultimately vanish altogether. He could barely feel the rotting apple in his back or the inflamed area around it, which were thoroughly cloaked with soft dust. He recalled his family with tenderness and love. His conviction that he would have to disappear was, if possible, even firmer than his sister’s. He lingered in this state of blank and peaceful musing until the tower clock struck three in the morning. He held on long enough to glimpse the start of the overall brightening outside the window. Then his head involuntarily sank to the floor, and his final breath came feebly from his nostrils. (182)

Write about the way the passage speaks to you about the
essential idea of the story.

The imagery the author uses here is relaxing and quite peaceful, creating a death scene with a hopeful heart. This particular death scene brings twofold reasons to rejoice: One, that an end is brought to Gregor's aching as his pains gradually fade and he achieves a more peaceful state. Secondly and with more emphasis, there is a new beginning for the family, which the author notes is far more important to Gregor than his own benefit. The imagery of the dawn puts greater focus on this new day and new opportunity.

I feel like this passage speaks to the nature of human progress. We frequently feel tied to the past on both an individual and community scale as human beings, and often there has to be an end of the old to bring a new beginning. It can be as small as the end of a friendship or as massive as the French Revolution.

On the grander scales, this often only happens with great opposition from the expiring party. What differentiates this story is Gergory willing himself to die so that those around him might live new and better lives. In dying he has claimed his own "humanity" but sacrificing for others at his own expense. This is a classic conflict for our species as a whole, among that of many other social species: self preservation versus the good of others to whom you are responsible. As a whole, we value altruism, because the whole cannot survive without it. This passage for me sheds a new light on the essential idea of the story. Once again, I am brought back to the classic Roman idea of Pietas. While many think of it as simple virtue and duty to the county and gods, they often neglect the third aspect: responsibility to the family and loved ones. Ah how the classics permeate through history to our time...

Metamorphosis Response 2

Where is there a tension between Gregor claiming his humanity and surrendering his humanity? In his family’s willingness/reluctance to recognize his humanity?

One of the central tensions between Gregor maintaining and relinquishing his humanity can be found in the passage detailing his mother's and sister's attempt to remove furniture from his room. Gregor is struggling to maintain his sanity, and these familiar objects keep him tied to the rationality of the human mind in these unending weeks of isolation and encroaching madness. However, the removal of the furniture would allow the family to dispose of it to their benefit, while more importantly increasing the room Gregor has in which to move. Thus going along or resisting the removal of the furniture is a contest between embracing humanity or insectitude. Obviously Gregor's rabid defense of his picture reflects this tense desire to claim his humanity for himself.

Meanwhile, the tension with his family members may be seen throughout this part as his sister after a month still cannot stand the sight of him, his mother is entirely avoidant, and his father only holds back from killing him due to the effeminate pleas of his only sympathizer. They are instinctively afraid of this unknown and grotesque situation; thus we are brought into the classic theme of human behavior under the influence of primal fear. Human sympathies, love, and even family connections dissolve when one is truly mad with fear. It would be one thing to have one's life threatened under normal circumstances, but the abnormality and uncertainty of the predicament bring about an unhampered fight or flight reaction in Gergory's family members.

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Question about being Human:

To what degree do our social relationships define us as human beings?

I could write extensively about the question on relationships existing with reciprocity in the context of human perception, denial, delusion, Plato's Allegory of the cave, et cetera, however I have elected to respond to this question as I feel my thoughts are not as developed on this subject as I would like.

Humans are an innately social species. There seems to be something inherent to us which makes us require other human beings for our existence. It is a rare and often alienated individual who is able to exist and function entirely on his own without human support. As a species of two separate genders, the human system is only "living" with respect to potential mating pairs under the scientific definition of life, "Sustained chemical systems capable of Darwinian evolution." We are a group creature which evolved in its own small tribes, much like packs of wolves or more appropriately, bands of chimpanzees. WE develop in such a way to protect ourselves and our own offspring or otherwise assist the group around us. Indeed, much of who we are, despite genetic programming, is built from neural connection made through our interactions with other people.

From a more Humanistic perspective, people tend to define themselves based on their accomplishments and approval by others. There is a delicate equilibrium, as many have noticed, between a person drawing confidence and identity from the self, and taking these things from the input of other people. Too much of the former leads to arrogance and inability to function among others, even if it permits limited self-sufficiency. The latter in abnormal amounts leads to dependency and inability to function on one's own, as often one is.

While it is generally accepted that a person much be self-driven and self confident, there is a taboo against social isolation. This taboo is inherent to human group behavior, stemming from our fear of the unknown and outsiders. However, there has been quite a history of monks finding fulfillment outside of human contact. Who is to say that these people are less than human? They may or may not have contributed something to society. The doctrine of science, the doctrine of piety, and the doctrine of whatever-you-come-up-with all have distinctly different values. Ultimately it is up to the human to decide how much relationships define him.

Metamorphosis Response 1

You have to apply your imagination to the whole probability/necessity thing, but do it anyway – does Gregor’s response to his changed physical state make sense in part I? Do the reactions of those around him?

Gregor's reaction to his state is certainly of debatable sense. On one hand, though I am not sure of the destitute and context of Gregor's situation, if the fate of his entire family is dependent on his getting to work that day and the settlement of the issue with the chief's messenger, then it is understandable that he would lose sight of rationality and the full picture in the moment and seek to make sure that all is secure for his business. It is also a very natural reaction, when placed in a new situation, particularly when in the home and none of the surroundings changed, to gravitate to habits and confine one's mind to routine for solace and security. On the other, he clearly does not contemplate his situation or analyze the reactions of those around him to realize that they are not processing what he is attempting to communicate to them.

"Making sense" is such a poorly defined thing, certainly with such an unexplored situation, but it serves as enough of a spring board to discuss Gregor's behavior. Clearly within the shock, chaos, and sheer absurdity of the situation, one can anticipate irrational and illogical behavior from any humans involved, particularly Gregor. From my observation the human urge to cling to one's established roots is greater that its ability to think rationally under pressure. According to normal human behavior, what Gregor does "makes sense." When it comes to logic considering the ultimate outcome of a situation, however, the result of Gregor's action speaks for itself as not "making sense."

As for the reactions of his family, the crazed frenzy of panic which occurs is quite natural around a creature that for all they know could have devoured Gregory. Confusion, along with fear, is often a progentiger of rash action.

Review of Notebook, Quarter 1

To be honest I feel like I have not been quite up to par with my previous quarters of writing, particularly with regards to the notebook, this year in English. It is not however, for lack of trying.

I have felt almost out of my element in these recent class discussions, and am loving it. I've spent so much time on the idea of Shakespearean tragic heroes, with distinct differences from our Greek ones. Though frankly I prefer the darker, arguably more telling of human nature 17th century version, our study of the tragic hero has made me quite an intrigued pupil. I haven't felt like I am contributing much to the class discussion, however. Blocking off both anything from my reaction and preconditioned connections, as well as anything pertaining you the author's intent, I feel limited in my ability to discuss literature. I'm learning, though.

I hate taking notes, it detracts from my ability to focus on class discussion, and its products will never properly resurrect the information I lost due to such distraction. I have not taken good notes. I feel like if I was to respond to the material outside of class on my own time I would be able to focus more effort, be more thorough. Though I have worked to satisfy all of our classroom entries, and indeed am proud of some of these, I feel like I could do better. I greatly enjoy writing, not so much note taking. I would certainly say that the entires have helped me really establish and build my thoughts on the works and subjects we discuss.

The occasional blog entries this quarter have all been thought out, though still, I hold my writing to high standards, I am never satisfied. I feel like as we move into this poetry unit My old knowledge is leading into my new learnings about these sonnets quite nicely, and my writings about each poem reflect appropriately.

I'll probably talk to you about notes and entries soon. I'd like to improve upon myself, as always.

On the Religion of Things Fall Apart

While our studies on Okonkwo focuses primarily on his development and fall as a Greek tragic hero, I was greatly distracted from this reading the book because i was intrigued to see the customs of a modern pagan tradition. I haven't been satisfied with much of my writing this quarter, and so I would like to add an entry on what has truly been rolling through my mind.

Observing the natural development of human civilization, one will note that religion adapts and gains complexity as needed for the society. Nomadic hunter-gatherer cultures tended to have shamanic systems, recognizing that the spirits of each land differed, with holy people who could reach out through ancient wisdom and commune with the web of life to aid in hunts, healing, and tribal decisions. As people settled down, the Penates (household gods) of each people settled down, and became a defining characteristic of its society, holding traditions and ties to ancestors.

This is where we see the peoples of Nigeria. There are later phases, where a religion believing itself to be one and true is needed for empire, and still after when diversity of the religion sustains democratic ideal. Neither are present for our discussion.

Now I am not certain the author has bent the religion much to serve his purposes, this would require rather obscure research to determine exactly what changes might have been made. Despite this, Achebe manages to integrate it well into the plot of his story. The use of the oracle since classic times as either a plot instigator or point of controversy. Oedipus itself, for example, a key integration of the divine through prophecy and the will of the gods without any actual deus ex machina.

Take for example the Oracle's prophecy of the death of Ikemefuna, or the ogbanje. While neither of these things are particularly key to the plot, or even the circumstances around them (Killing Ikemefuna without believing to some degree it was because the oracle said he should would not be much of a step from Okonkwo's current state of mind, and has the same effect on his development). However, they both add to the complexity and gravity of the situation to the characters.

Okonkwo's loyalty to his clan's ancestors and gods is reminiscent of Roman Pietas. His resistance to the Christian barbarians is noble, and commendable. In a way it increases pity brought on him towards the end, furthering his tragic nature.

I'm particularly fascinated by the custom of the egwugqu, as real world ritual met with the supernatural so realistically, so significantly, to the people of Umofia. Such sacred a communion I do not feel we have a like in our society. The desecration of one of these masked spirits was the beginning of the end for the religion of the tribe, and thus Okonkwo. This sacred tradition is key, therefore, to the plot of the story, though not per se, merely the interruption of a sacred tradition in general.