Jealousy Takes Over Flashcards

1
Q

Background of the poem

A

> Gives Lesbia her name.
A translation of a Greek poem by Sappho.
Possibly his first poem to Lesbia.

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2
Q

Themes of the poem

A

Physical and emotional jealousy.

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3
Q

What does the word ‘videtur’ (seems) convey in this poem?

A

Catullus is more interested in how the man appears than the truth.

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4
Q

‘Si fas est’

If it is right

A

Catullus has to cover himself lest he break the law of the Gods (called Fas).

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5
Q

Use of ‘identem’

repeatedly

A

Not in the original Greek- conveys the poet’s jealousy.

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6
Q

‘Sedens’ ‘spectat’ ‘audit’

Sits, looks at you, hears you

A

The man only has to sit there and listen to her speak to make Catullus jealous.

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7
Q

contrast between ‘dulce ridentem’ and ‘misero’

laughing sweetly, miserable.

A

Her laughter makes him miserable.

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8
Q

‘eripit’ word placement.

burst

A

Emotional word placed at the beginning of the line for emphasis.

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9
Q

‘eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te,
Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi
vocis in ore’

A

Mihi and mi are placed before and after the words tu and Lesbia, indicating how he would like to have her in his arms.

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10
Q

‘lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus’

but my tongue is paralysed, a slender flame

A

line has a ABCBA structure.

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11
Q

‘sonitu suopte’ ‘tintinant’

my ears ring with their own sound

A

The use of sound imagery adds to the vividness of the illness.

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12
Q

‘gemina’

double

A

adds force to the darkness that this illness has cast over him.

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13
Q

‘otium’ ‘otio’ ‘otium’

A

Repeating this word in different forms (polyptoton) emphasises his point and is meant to force himself out of his self-pity.

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