During the reign of Julius Caesar, a Roman lyrical poet rose to fame, known as Catullus. Catullus, unlike many other writers of his time, did not write of political issues, but of love and heartbreak. Although some viewed, love as a frivolous notion, Catullus was able to channel his emotions into writing, creating not only moving lyrics, but also using literary techniques, and creating new formations for poems.
Wretched Catullus, Leave off Playing the Fool
The first poem we will be analyzing is, “Wretched Catullus, Leave of Playing the Fool”, which tells of Catullus doomed fate with Clodia as he tries to convince himself that Clodia has only damaging effects to him in the three stanza poem. The beginning of the poem states, “Wretched Catullus, leave off playing the fool: / Give up as lost what is forever past” (1-2). Right in the beginning of the poem, Catullus sets the mood with a two line introduction, containing a scolding tone so as to imply that something with damaging effects has been done. He refers to himself as foolish and knowing the context of the situation, the thing that is lost is the …show more content…
Where will you obtain Praise of your beauty? Who’ll make sorrows blisses? Who’ll love you now? Or bite your lips in kisses?
Not Catullus! He’s determined to abstain. (16-19)
This repetition occurs in the form of questions towards Clodia, asking her who will meet her needs. This four line stanza also creates an apostrophe as Catullus proclaims these multiple question to Clodia. This also displays a sense of irony, because Clodia has a husband who will supply all her needs, unlike what Catullus is saying.
Lesbia says She’ld Rather Marry Me The theme of this poem, like many of Catullus’ poems, is heartbreak. In this three line poem, Catullus shows his disappointment in the contradictions that Clodia had once said to him. If you go from the first line to the last, You will see his disappointment:
Lesbia says she’ld rather marry
Wretched Catullus, Leave off Playing the Fool
The first poem we will be analyzing is, “Wretched Catullus, Leave of Playing the Fool”, which tells of Catullus doomed fate with Clodia as he tries to convince himself that Clodia has only damaging effects to him in the three stanza poem. The beginning of the poem states, “Wretched Catullus, leave off playing the fool: / Give up as lost what is forever past” (1-2). Right in the beginning of the poem, Catullus sets the mood with a two line introduction, containing a scolding tone so as to imply that something with damaging effects has been done. He refers to himself as foolish and knowing the context of the situation, the thing that is lost is the …show more content…
Where will you obtain Praise of your beauty? Who’ll make sorrows blisses? Who’ll love you now? Or bite your lips in kisses?
Not Catullus! He’s determined to abstain. (16-19)
This repetition occurs in the form of questions towards Clodia, asking her who will meet her needs. This four line stanza also creates an apostrophe as Catullus proclaims these multiple question to Clodia. This also displays a sense of irony, because Clodia has a husband who will supply all her needs, unlike what Catullus is saying.
Lesbia says She’ld Rather Marry Me The theme of this poem, like many of Catullus’ poems, is heartbreak. In this three line poem, Catullus shows his disappointment in the contradictions that Clodia had once said to him. If you go from the first line to the last, You will see his disappointment:
Lesbia says she’ld rather marry