The four Catullus poems that we have translated so far, 5, 8, 43, 51, are not in numerical order. They can, however, be placed in order (when you figure out what the heck Catullus is talking about).
The first poem would have to be Poem 51. Here, Catullus is lusting over Lesbia, saying "Lesbia, aspexi, vocis in ore, lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artis, flamma demanat, sonitu suopte tintinant aures, gemina teguntur lumina nocte." Clearly, Catullus is infatuated. But, we know that they are not a couple, since he admits his jealously of the man sitting across from Lesbia. "Ille mi par esse deo videtur, ille, si fas est, superare divos, qui sedens adversus identidem te spectat et audit dulce ridentem." In case you couldn't tell, Catullus totally wants Lesbia.
The next poem in the sequence would appear to be Poem 43, where Catullus is wondering why a women, who apparently is not all that attractive, would be compared to Lesbia. At, this point, Catullus and Lesbia appear to be together, as he refers to her as "Lesbia nostra" but it has not progressed to the point where he cannot look at other women. (After seeing this woman, he might have changed that behavior.)
Poem 5 is next; Catullus and Lesbia are a couple at this point. (I wonder what their couple name was....Catullbia or Lesullus. Personally I like Catullbia.) He makes it clear that he wants to be with her forever. "Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus" he says. Then later he talks about the death that all must face. "Soles occidere et redire possunt; nobis cum semel occidit brevis lux, nox est perpetua una dormienda." Although its a bit depressing, Catullus is just tying to tell Lesbia that she better hurry up with those 3300 kisses since one day they'll die.
Last, but certainly not least, is Poem 8. Catullus is now upset because he and his love have gone separate ways. (I get a feeling it was her, not him.) He remembers the time they spent together. "Fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles, cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla; ibi illa multa cum iocosa fiebant, quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat, fulsere vere candidi tibi soles." So, the suns no longer shine for poor Catullus. But there is good news....Catullus finally admits that he's a fool!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Catullus, You Fool! Your Emotions Are in the Way!
In Catullus VIII, Catullus struggles with his conflict between his heart and his mind. He simply is not able to decide whether to end his affair, or to continue chasing after Lesbia. I must agree with Catullus, he needs to stop being a fool.
At first, Catullus's will seems to overpower his emotions."tu quoque impotens noli, nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive, sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura." he says. He tells himself what he must do to get over Lesbia and even finishes out by wishing her well (Vale, puella.). He calls her wicked and starts shooting harsh questions her way. But then the tone changes, and Catullus starts to question what he will be missing and who Lesbia will now belong to. "Quem nunc amabis? Cuius esse diceris? Quem basiabis? Cui labella mordebis?" Catullus starts to see just what he will be losing, and I believe that he will not be able to let her go.
Ultimately, the questions flooding through Catullus's mind are what prevent him from ending the affair. He is afraid of losing Lesbia (and from the way he made her sound in Poem V, he should not want that woman to leave!). He wants to be strong, to be able to let her go. The problem is that Catullus is enamored; he is in love and does not want to lose that love. The fear that Lesbia will belong to someone else seems to terrify this man, and personally, I think he'll go and chase her down.
At first, Catullus's will seems to overpower his emotions."tu quoque impotens noli, nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive, sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura." he says. He tells himself what he must do to get over Lesbia and even finishes out by wishing her well (Vale, puella.). He calls her wicked and starts shooting harsh questions her way. But then the tone changes, and Catullus starts to question what he will be missing and who Lesbia will now belong to. "Quem nunc amabis? Cuius esse diceris? Quem basiabis? Cui labella mordebis?" Catullus starts to see just what he will be losing, and I believe that he will not be able to let her go.
Ultimately, the questions flooding through Catullus's mind are what prevent him from ending the affair. He is afraid of losing Lesbia (and from the way he made her sound in Poem V, he should not want that woman to leave!). He wants to be strong, to be able to let her go. The problem is that Catullus is enamored; he is in love and does not want to lose that love. The fear that Lesbia will belong to someone else seems to terrify this man, and personally, I think he'll go and chase her down.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Catullus and Lesbia: Best Kept Secret??
When we translated Catullus V, the first thought that came to mind was that the relationship Catullus was describing was a forbidden one. He and Lesbia had to keep everything a secret, and yet try to love one another now,despite what others may think, for tomorrow may never come. This reminded me of a little song...
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/bareapopopera/bestkeptsecret.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZQ156qWlrI
The song is called "Best Kept Secret" from the musical "Bare: A Pop Opera." The show centers around Peter and Jason, two students at a Catholic boarding school who have fallen in love. The show follows their struggle to maintain a relationship, and yet keep it hidden from the rest of the world. Here, Jason and Peter have just left a party where they were unknown, and able to be truly together for the night. The song is the discussion the two have regarding the future of their relationship.
I think that the writers of "Bare," Jon Hartmere, Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo, might have taken a few lessons from Catullus. :) Both the poem and the song contain an extreme out pour of love and affection, a question about the future of the relationship, and a refusal to let the opinions of others ruin the love between these two couples. One of the ways that emotions are conveyed in Catullus V is by slight exaggeration. I am sure that while Catullus would love to have had extremely long "love sessions" with Lesbia, he would get a bit annoyed with her kisses long before the total reached 3300. I also must say that his view of death is a bit dramatic. "We must sleep a perpetual night" might be a somewhat accurate statement, but it sure is not the most pleasant thought for a love poem. In "Best Kept Secret," however, the emotion is conveyed through word choice that is not too dramatic. Jason explains "We have to wait until the world is fast asleep" before he and Peter can be together. Peter comes back, saying that "Beneath a million stars there's no need to pretend" that they are not in love. These phrases are poetic in nature, just like Catullus's poem. They are not, however, nearly as dramatic as Catullus's view of death as a perpetual night.The difference lies in the fact that Catullus's poem is a love poem, but still has a darkness surrounding it. "Best Kept Secret" is a bit lighter, and even though a slight argument breaks out in the middle of the song, nothing really takes away from the atmosphere of love and affection that the song evokes.
In my opinion, both Catullus V and "Best Kept Secret" tug at my heart strings. Both pieces make me feel for these lovers. I feel the love that exists, I feel the tension, and I feel the struggle that both couples face. Both pieces have an air of love surrounding them, but also evoke a bit of tension and conflict. They are both wonderful expressions of love in a forbidden relationship.
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/bareapopopera/bestkeptsecret.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZQ156qWlrI
The song is called "Best Kept Secret" from the musical "Bare: A Pop Opera." The show centers around Peter and Jason, two students at a Catholic boarding school who have fallen in love. The show follows their struggle to maintain a relationship, and yet keep it hidden from the rest of the world. Here, Jason and Peter have just left a party where they were unknown, and able to be truly together for the night. The song is the discussion the two have regarding the future of their relationship.
I think that the writers of "Bare," Jon Hartmere, Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo, might have taken a few lessons from Catullus. :) Both the poem and the song contain an extreme out pour of love and affection, a question about the future of the relationship, and a refusal to let the opinions of others ruin the love between these two couples. One of the ways that emotions are conveyed in Catullus V is by slight exaggeration. I am sure that while Catullus would love to have had extremely long "love sessions" with Lesbia, he would get a bit annoyed with her kisses long before the total reached 3300. I also must say that his view of death is a bit dramatic. "We must sleep a perpetual night" might be a somewhat accurate statement, but it sure is not the most pleasant thought for a love poem. In "Best Kept Secret," however, the emotion is conveyed through word choice that is not too dramatic. Jason explains "We have to wait until the world is fast asleep" before he and Peter can be together. Peter comes back, saying that "Beneath a million stars there's no need to pretend" that they are not in love. These phrases are poetic in nature, just like Catullus's poem. They are not, however, nearly as dramatic as Catullus's view of death as a perpetual night.The difference lies in the fact that Catullus's poem is a love poem, but still has a darkness surrounding it. "Best Kept Secret" is a bit lighter, and even though a slight argument breaks out in the middle of the song, nothing really takes away from the atmosphere of love and affection that the song evokes.
In my opinion, both Catullus V and "Best Kept Secret" tug at my heart strings. Both pieces make me feel for these lovers. I feel the love that exists, I feel the tension, and I feel the struggle that both couples face. Both pieces have an air of love surrounding them, but also evoke a bit of tension and conflict. They are both wonderful expressions of love in a forbidden relationship.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)