https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1WFF20gmwNukbZ98bLBPgOxfLfNqNOs1crQ0lQ-JUA1U
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Seduction Essay (Informal)
Catullus' poem #5 is better in that's it is more realistic. Catullus doesn't beat around the bush, and is much more passionate in his poem. Horace may be more respectful in trying to court Leuconoe, but Catullus already knows Lesbia, and they're acquainted enough for Lesbia to know who he is. Catullus then starts the poem by asking, letting Lesbia think she has a choice in the matter, but in the end he is demanding of her real passion. Catullus' poem shows much stronger emotion than Horace's.
In the end, though, they also show a similar statement of living in the moment, but Catullus really doesn't play around, as he not only states what he wants, he demands it. Horace probably had similar feelings towards Leuconoe, but was too proper and prudent to really speak his full mind. Catullus also crafts a poem more centered around Lesbia, while Horace's poem has more general applications as well as to Lesbia.
Horace is a lot more lighthearted in his approach, being a little less forceful. Catullus is quite the opposite, with a heavier approach, forceful in his commands of Lesbia. Time will tell which poem survives the longest.
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