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Flashcards in Catullus Poem 109 Notes Deck (22)
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1
Q

What is Catullus saying in this poem?

A

He expresses his hopes of happy love for the future but reports he doubts his love’s ability to make a promise

2
Q

What is ‘amicitia’?

A

A political alliance in Rome based on self-interest which may last but often didn’t

3
Q

What is the effect of the last line being a hyperbole?

A

Demonstrates the doubt that this everlasting bond of friendship can be achieved

4
Q

Is the poem giving anyone confidence that fidelity and friendship are possible to last forever?

A

No

5
Q

What type of irony is created in this poem?

A

Dramatic irony

6
Q

What is line 1 framed by?

A

Love… pleasant

7
Q

How is the lover addressed? What is the effect?

A

‘My life’ more than an affectionate term and focuses on the ‘whole life’ nature of the relationship

8
Q

What stresses the relationship should be neutral?

A

‘Of ours… between us’

9
Q

How is ‘possit’ emphasised? What is the effect?

A

End of the line and alliteration. Could be an insult to the girl questioning if she is capable of making a real promise

10
Q

Which words does Catullus use to express the same thing?

A

‘Vere… sincere… ex animo’

11
Q

What is the effect of the intensive ‘per’ sound in the phrase with ‘perducere’?

A

Strongly emphasises the hoped- for quality of the relationship

12
Q

Which word has strong emphasis in the last line?

A

‘Amicitia’

13
Q

What are the different meanings of ‘amicitia’?

A

Friendship and political alliance

14
Q

Why might Catullus have chosen the specific word ‘amicita’?

A

Suggests a marriage-pact of friendship. Two worlds of marriage: more permanent but not loving and more loving but less permanent

15
Q

What sort of overtones does the last line have?

A

Political

16
Q

What could be the meaning of the words on the last line? What is Catullus doing?

A

An everlasting bond of sanctioned alliance. Trying to find the vocabulary to express his feelings and hopes

17
Q

What could be seen by his hyperbolic language?

A

Undertone of doubt

18
Q

What can be said about ‘mea vita’?

A

Lesbia is not only his love but his life too

19
Q

What is significant about word positioning on lines 1-2?

A

‘Iucundum’ and ‘fore’ separated to show doubt about pleasantness in the future

20
Q

What other words are separated from each other?

A

‘Amorem’ and ‘nostrum’

21
Q

What does Catullus hope to do?

A

Tolerate Lesbia with friendship and trust

22
Q

Why does Catullus need to add in ‘verum’?

A

Not completely certain she will tell the truth

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