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.