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Flashcards in Catullus 45 Deck (25)
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1
Q

Acmen Septimius suos amores tenens

Septimius holding his lover Acme

A

Two names together- shows closeness

further emphasized because hes holding her, but her name surrounds him (Acme…suos amores)

2
Q

Acme

A

Greek name, means ‘peak’ or ‘zenith’- essentially shes top notch. Name also suggests this is a relationship between a Roman and a Greek freedwoman.

3
Q

Why is Catullus 45 special?

A

It is the only poem in Catullus’ corpus that is an example of fulfilled love.

4
Q

perdite

to distraction

A

v serious word. Madness etc. Topos?

5
Q

amo at amare

unless i LOVE you to distraction and hereafter am prepared to LOVE you…

A

repetition

6
Q

omnes sum assidue paratus annos

and hereafter am prepared to love you continually throughout the years

A

hyperbaton of omnes and annos. all words surround assidue, main word. gives the same effect as a golden line in hexameter

7
Q

quantum qui pote plurimum perire

as much as he who is able to love you the most

A

alliteration of q and p. Harsh, like perire itself

8
Q

solus in Libya Indiaque tosta

may i alone in Libya and torrid India

A

solus stresses the danger.
Libya and India are the places where a Roman might meet a lion.
tosta is unnecessary detail- heat is irrelevant if theres a lion in front of you! Has a second meaning- ‘torreo’ to burn with love. - appears in Horace’s odes

9
Q

Amor sinistra ut ante dextra sternuit approbationem

A

Uses the repetition of this clause as a closural device of each section. Brings structure and balance to the poem.
Sneeze is a good omen

10
Q

caesio veniam obvius leoni

meet a green-eyed lion

A

colour of eyes is irrelevant. Just emphasises how close the lion has gotten.
Theres a reference to a green-eyed lion in Homer’s Illiad.
Theres a reference to a green eyed girl in Lucretius’ catalogue of lover’s euphemisms.

11
Q

caput…ocellos…suaviata…

head, little eyes, lips

A

travelling down the face.

12
Q

ocellos, Septimille

A

affectionate diminutives.

13
Q
ebrios
intoxicated (with love)
A

suggests the relationship between sex and alcohol

14
Q

suaviata

lips

A

sounds as if its derived from suavis (pleasurable)

15
Q

purpureo

rosy/red

A

colour imagery suggests his lips are suffused with arousal.

16
Q

‘mea vita Septimille’

my dear septimius, my life

A

Acme is more affectionate than Septimius, but doesnt offer to prove her love as he does.

17
Q

huic uni domino usque serviamus

let us serve forever this one master

A

Lyne: concept of being a ‘slave to love’. Common in Roman elegy, but not in Catullus. However, usually it is the man being subservient to the mistress. Here they are both equally subservient to love itself.

18
Q

ut mutlo mihi maior acriorque
ignis mollibus ardet in medullis
as a flame much greater and keener
burns in my tender limbs

A

repetitions of ‘m’ and ‘ll’. Soothing/ smoldering passion.

19
Q

mutuis animis amant amantur

they love and are loved with mutual feelings

A

mutuis animis explicitly demarcates the mutuality of their love.
asyndeton of amant amantur suggests equality.

20
Q

ignis mollibus ardet in medullis

a fire tenderly burns in my limbs

A

ABAB structure

fire, soft, burns, bones

21
Q

Unam Septimius misellus Acmen

poor little Septimius (loves his) one Acme

A

ABBA chiastic structure. Interlocking affection of the two.

22
Q

Syrias Britanniasque

Syrians and Britons

A

55BC- Crassus’ unsucessful campaign in Syria, Caesar in Britain. Countries also used as bywords for East and West

23
Q

uno in Septimio fidelis Acme

the faithful Acme… in her one Septimius

A

goes from plural Syrians and Britons in line above to singulars. emphasises their ‘fidelis’ to each other.

24
Q

facit delicias

takes delight

A

expands on Acme’s fidelis in the line before even though it sounds flippant. Acme is satisfied with Septimius and doesnt seek pleasure with others.

25
Q

who a more Venerem auspicatiorem

who a more auspicious cupid?

A

ends w. rhetorical question.

last word picks up on the sneezing cupids. Structre. Recalls the good omen