In Our Time Catullus
Jan 9, 2020
Gail Trimble, a Brown Fellow specializing in Classics, Simon Smith, a Reader in Creative Writing and translator of Catullus, and Maria Wyke, a Professor of Latin, delve into the audacious poetry of Catullus. They discuss his innovative expressions of love and betrayal through his muse, Lesbia, and how his explicit works were initially controversial. The conversation highlights Catullus's lasting influence on poets like Virgil and Petrarch, as well as the challenges of translating his emotionally rich, often scatological verses into modern contexts.
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Love for Men vs. Women
- Catullus uses similar metaphors for love, whether directed at men or women, particularly in kiss poems.
- However, the "kiss of death" metaphor, and the concept of "os impurum" (dirty mouth), appear only in poems about men.
Catullus's Influence on Roman Poetry
- Catullus influenced later Roman poets like Ovid and Virgil through his subjective storytelling and focus on romantic relationships.
- His sympathetic portrayal of Ariadne impacted Virgil's Dido in the Aeneid.
Scatological Poems and Lesbia
- Catullus's scatological poems use vulgar language, like "glu bere," to describe Lesbia's promiscuity.
- The poem's structure invites readers to imagine Lesbia's actions, contributing to its salacious nature.