Catullus 5 Flashcards

Study Notes

Catullus 5 Key Themes and Devices

"Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amumus" showcases emphatic placement of jussive subjunctive, a hallmark of hendecasyllabic meter, creating a rhythm of passionate commands reminiscent of Mimnermus.
"senum serveriorum" employs sibilance, evoking a hissing disapproval; homeoteleuton links the old men to their restrictive worldviews, contrasting with Catullus’ freedom.
"omnes unius" features juxtaposition to express arrogance, achieved through hyperbaton, emphasizing the exclusivity of their love.
The phrase "aestimamus assis" incorporates financial imagery, reflecting a pragmatic view on love while utilizing assonance for musical quality; the genitive of worth implies Catullus' disdain.
"soles occidere et redire possunt" contrasts the permanence of natural cycles (suns rising and setting) with the brevity of human life; death and natural imagery signify Catullus's defiance of nature.
"occidit brevis lux" uses metaphor to suggest love's brilliance, intertwining light/dark imagery; the placement of "lux" disrupts the flow, emphasizing its importance.
"perpetua una dormienda" includes a gerund of obligation, positioning Catullus in a passive role against the natural order; assonance underscores the endlessness of night, a metaphor for death, while chiasmus juxtaposes the affair’s power.
The line "da mi basia mille, deinde centum" employs polyptoton and repetition, reflecting chaotic urgency yet maintaining natural order; the mix of plosive and liquid alliteration creates an auditory sense of turmoil.
"cum milia multa fecerimus" demonstrates varatio, showcasing Catullus' control over verse; the use of future perfect tense indicates arrogance and a foreknowledge of their love's eventual fate.
"conturbabimus" envelops financial imagery, symbolizing the act of confusing accounts to cheat reality; this reflects Catullus’ struggle with the inevitability of separation from Lesbia.
"ne quis malius invidere possit" connects superstition with personal fears, referencing the "evil eye," while linking back to "senum serveriorum," framing Lesbia's passion within societal disapproval.
"tantum sciat esse basiorum" highlights the Roman belief that knowledge equates to power; Catullus suggests mutual ignorance in love protects them from external judgment; the placement of "basiorum" is unique, hinting at cultural nuances.

Description

Test your knowledge of Catullus' poem with these flashcards focusing on key phrases and their literary techniques. Each card delves into the language and stylistic elements that define this classic work. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of Latin literature.