Catullus is quite the narcissist, and this is evident throughout his poetry. In Catullus 5 and 7, his demands of Lesbia are numerous and presumptuous, as he assumes that Lesbia will wish to do as he pleases. In Catullus 10 he goes to the point of deceiving another that he just met in order to look better. He is even angry when she forces him to admit that what he said was false. In Catullus 5, 7, and 10 Catullus shows his high opinion of himself in regards to those he comes into contact with.
In Catullus 5, Catullus starts out in the first sentence by stating that the opinions of all the serious old men are worth but a penny (Cat 5.2-3). He starts out showing how little he thinks of these men in relation to himself, showing his own inflated ego.
Catullus then demands thousands of kisses from Lesbia, assuming she wishes to kiss him this many times (Cat 5.7-10). In Catullus 7, Catullus demands as many kisses as the sands of Libya and more from Lesbia, and nothing seems to be enough for him (Cat 7.3). In Catullus 10, he lies to Varus' lover in order to make himself seem more fortunate, showing that he likes to make good impressions on others of his wealth, as he builds himself up.
In Catullus 5, he starts out using the subjunctive mood, making Lesbia think she has a choice in the matter of kissing him (Cat 5.1). He then turns on her, using the imperative, demanding from her many kisses (Cat 5.7). This shows the power Catullus believes he has over Lesbia, and he assumes he is worthy enough of her love. Catullus 7 states this is a similar manner, again speaking of many kisses to be kissed (Cat 7.9). Catullus repeatedly calls Varus' lover a wench, showing his opinion of the woman who called his bluff (Cat 10.3 + 24).
Catullus 5, line 6 speaks of night being "perpetual in sleep," but Catullus does not only wish to convey that these are nighttime occurrences, but there is an association with the other mischievous things that go on at night that Catullus is talking about. He wants Lesbia to know that he is serious in his demands for making love, again showing is overblown ego. Catullus 7 shows a similar thought, in that Catullus states "aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox." He wishes for as many kisses as the stars, when night is silent, again giving the connotation of more going on at night (Cat 7.7). In Catullus 10, he open up by calling the girl he is to meet Varus' lover, not dignifying her with a name, and associating her with something naughty (Cat 10.1).
In Catullus 5, "rumoresque" (Cat 5.2) stands for all the scandalous things about love, as all the serious old mean were talking about. Catullus then shows that he is above those things, saying that what those men say is worth a penny. In Catullus 7, "basia" (Cat 7.9) represents more than just the kiss, but the passion between Catullus and Lesbia. Catullus' demanding of this from Lesbia shows how he believes he has control over her, as he sees himself as better than her. "Scortillum" (Cat 10.3) stands for all the bad things a woman could be called, as Catullus dislikes Varus' lover.
Catullus 5 alludes to Lesbia, Catullus' lover (Cat 5.1), and she is again brought up in Catullus 7. Jupiter is referenced in line 5, showing the scope of the Catullus' seriousness. Catullus is not fooling around. In Catullus 10, Catullus mentions Cinna Gauis, who was actually his friend, after his lie was discovered by Varus' lover (Cat 10.30). He had already claimed Cinna's men to be his own, though, and after discovered, only mentions him in passing, so showing his regard of his friend.
Catullus 5 begins with "vivamus" (Cat 5.1), showing that the poem will be about living, and line one ends with "amemus," showing that the love between Catullus and Lesbia will be a way of living for them, or at least for Catullus. He also makes sure to end the poem with "basiorum" (Cat 5.13), showing the lasting impression he wishes to make is a passionate one, fueled by desire for Lesbia. Catullus 7 starts out in line one with "quaeris," showing that the poem will have a question/answer format. Catullus' answer to how many kisses is an innumerable quantity. Catullus wishes for their love to dominate, again showing his regard for Lesbia. Catullus chooses to end Catullus 10 with "neglegentem" (Cat 10.34), stating that Varus' lover is not one he should be careless around, showing that Catullus thinks Varus' lover is spiteful and is just trying to pick out his mistakes.
Throughout these three poems, Catullus shows repeatedly his high esteem of himself, and his low opinion of others. In Catullus' relationships with Lesbia, Varus, and Varus' lover, he shows how he places them lower than himself socially. Even though he desires for Lesbia, his desire is carnal and it seems like not much more, as all he does is demand of her. In regards to Varus' lover, Catullus believes she was out to get him, and so he dislikes her intensely for making him look like a fool. The clues to Catullus' egotism are clearly placed in his poetry, so as to accurately reflect the person writing it.
1 comment:
Nice job on the analysis itself. But what we need to work on is the creation of an argument. I don't think anyone would disagree with your statement that: "In Catullus 5, 7, and 10 Catullus shows his high opinion of himself in regards to those he comes into contact with." Therefore, it's really not very much of a thesis.
The point of a thesis is to make a debatable claim and then back it up with evidence from the text.
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