1. Catullus 50
Catullus 50 presents a portrait of homines otiosi (people at leisure), who have made love and the creation of poetry their life. Catullus has spent a day, improvising poems with his friend Licinius. Catullus enjoyed creating poems so much that he is unable to sleep, yearning to see and compose poetry with his friend again. He writes a poem dedicated to his friend, yet begins to fear that he may be rejected by him, and thus threatens to evoke Nemesis should that happen
What Neoteric value is going to be supported by this poem?
otium = leisure

2. Catullus 65
Catullus writes a poem to his friend Hortalus, apologizing for not sending him new poems. His excuse is the death of his brother, the grief over whom has left him unable to write more poetry, but only able to send translated poems of Callimachus. Catullus compares his embarrassment over not sending poetry to the blushing of a young girl, surprised by her mother as she contemplates a secret gift from her fiancé. The irony, of course, is that Catullus’s words are presented in a highly polished poem

3. The Muses Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne
sacred
poetry
epic poetry
history
love poetry
lyric poetry
tragedy
dance
comedy
astronomy
Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne
Evoked at the beginning of poems to ask for inspiration or have the Muse speak through the poet’s writing

6. Identify 5 literary devices in these linesB A B A
synchysis
1 etsi mē assiduō confectum cūra dolōre 2 sēvocat ā doctīs, Hortale, virginibus, 3 nec potis est dulcīs Mūsārum exprōmere fētus, 4 mēns animī, tantīs fluctuat ipsa malīs— 5 namque meī nūper Lethaeō in gurgite frātris 6 pallidulum mānāns alluit unda pedem, 7 Trōia Rhoeteō quem subter lītore tellus 8 ēreptum nostrīs obterit ex oculīs. A B A B
synchysis B A A B
chiasmus A B B A
chiasmus A B B A
chiasmus

7. Lyric Poetry
Originally poems sung to an instrument, strings for lyric, pipes for elegiac
Performed at parties, celebrations, festivals
Along with epic and drama, lyric poetry was the third major genre of poetry, designed primarily for private performance or to mark special occasions in public

8. Lyric Poetry in Rome
Lyric was largely neglected for centuries because the Romans preferred the gravitas of epic and tragedy
When the Republic was being torn apart, some tried to hold up the standard of the old values (Cicero and Cato), others saw opportunity in the chaos of political upheaval (Cataline, Caesar) and finally others chose to remove themselves from the violence they were witnessing and engaged in other pursuits. This final group included a group of poets

9. The Neoterics or “New Poets”
Display some traits of the modern “stereotypical poet…”:
Push the boundaries
avant-garde
But usually come from wealthy families, living a life of otium (leisure)

10. Lecture: Introduction to Lyric Poetry
Gaius Valerius Catullus was born roughly twenty years after Cicero (ca. 84 BC) to an equestrian family of wealth and social prominence in Verona, a town of Cisalpine Gaul (as governor, Caesar had visited his family home).
From an established family of means, Catullus came to Rome for his education. While he frequented the social circles of the most prominent political figures, he actively avoided politics, preferring intimate social gatherings, the social life of the city, and, of course, the reading, composition, and performance of poetry.

11. Lecture: Introduction to Lyric Poetry
Catullus and the other poets of his circle, contemptuously dubbed poetae novi by Cicero or “Neoterics” (from Greek), valued lepor (“wit”), venustas (“charm”), and urbanitas (“urbanity”) in their lives and their poetry.
The Neoterics strove to outdo one another in producing poetry that was witty, charming, and steeped in the smart, sophisticated manners of the city, characterized by subtle winks and knowing glances.
This style, though, was nothing new — the Neoterics held in high regard the 4th cent. B.C. Greek poet Callimachus, whose slim, tightly packed, learned poems were the standard against which all lyric poetry since had been judged.

12. Catullus and Propertius
Urban elite
Both men devoted many poems to description of extended, on- and-off love affairs with women of the upper class
Their poetry was not necessarily autobiographical, but used as a vehicle to emphasize two important aspects of the lives of literary Roman elite:
otium (leisure)- good! vs negotium (business) – bad 

13. Lecture: Introduction to Lyric Poetry
After Catullus’ death, the Neoteric tradition was inherited by poets like Sextus Propertius, who in the 40s and 30s BCE grew up in a Rome that was somehow even more tumultuous than that of Catullus’ youth. Like Catullus, Propertius was of equestrian rank and chose to forgo a political and military career to pursue the arts.
He was a self-styled Roman Callimachus (or at least so he thought), and rode the fame from his first book of love poems to a place in the circle of poets (including Ovid and Virgil) who enjoyed the support of Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, a close friend to and advisor of Augustus.

14. Lecture: Introduction to Lyric Poetry
Like Catullus, Propertius was a poet of the sophisticated, urban elite. Of most importance to our course are the many poems both men devoted to descriptions of extended, on-and-off love affairs with women of the upper class.
These poems, which we must be careful not to treat as autobiography, serve as vehicles to emphasize the quotidian themes of their work, and lifestyles that prized otium (free time) over negotium (business).
But whereas Catullus’ poems seamlessly integrate the erudite references and wit of the Neoterics with a gut-wrenching pathos that disarms and distracts the reader from their underlying skill, Propertius’ hyper- sophisticated references, clunky exposition, and fascination with the process of creating art make it clearer that these poems are less a manipulation of the actual experience of his daily life, but more so exercises in creating carefully crafted poetry.

15. Poet/Narrator Values otium, lepos, venustas, being doctus
Does NOT value politics, money, business, traditional career paths (military/politics/law)
BUT has a lot of money because he comes from a wealthy family
Loves writing, the craft of writing, spending time writing, and writing about writing
Engages in cycles within his relationship of passionate love, bitter rejection, and desperate obsession
Is not afraid, but rather relishes in, expressing his emotions and his vulnerability
Is often controlled by his lover

16. Beloved (paramour)
In control of the relationship – when lovers meet, on what terms
Engaging in the relationship as an affair
High status in society
Jealous, emotionally volatile
Engages in cycle of passion and fighting with her lover

17. Businessman/outsider
Holds all of the ‘traditional’ values that the poet opposes  money, politics, career ambitions, being unemotional
Practical and pragmatic, uncontrolled by his emotions
Looked down upon by poet, and looks down on poet in turn

18. LITERARY DEVICES - Syntax
Anaphora
Asyndeton
Chiasmus
Synchysis
Polysyndeton
Ellipsis
Enjambment
Juxtaposition
Tricolon crescendo
Rhetorical question

19. LITERARY DEVICES - Morphology
Polyptoton
Litotes
Transferred epithet
Diminutive

20. LITERARY DEVICES - Meaning
Simile
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Personification
Onomatopoeia
Allusion

21. Catullus 9 /1/ Who is Veranius? How does Catullus describe him?
/2/ To whom does Hiberum refer?
/3/ Who/what are the Penates?

22. Catullus 9 –LITERARY DEVICES
/4/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects
a. asyndeton
b. hyperbole
c. rhetorical question

23. Catullus 50
/1/ What is the definition for otiosi (line 1)? To whom does it refer? Why is this significant to the Neoterics?
/2/ Describe specifically Catullus’ experience after leaving Licinius’ house (7-13).
/3/ Summarize how Catullus expresses his pain (14-17).
/4/ What does Catullus warn Licinius of?
/5/ Who/ what is Nemesis?
/6/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects a. diminutives (x2)

24. Catullus 65
/1/ Who are the doctis...virginibus? To what does dulcis...fetus refer?
/2/ What is Lethaeo gurgite? Where is it? Why is it important?
/3/ Summarize the myth of Daulias/Procne. How does this allusion impact the text?
/4/ To whom does Battiadae refer and why is this person significant to the neoterics?
/5/ Analyze the ending simile. Which elements are being compared?

25. Catullus 65 – LITERARY DEVICES
/6/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects
a. diminutive
b. synchysis x2
c. transferred epithet

26. Catullus 3
/1/ What is the definition for venustiorum? What is its significance to the neoterics?
/2/ How does the narrator eulogize the sparrow?
/3/ Who are Veneres Cupidinesque?
/4/ Describe the relationship between the girl had her pet, with as many details as you can find.
/5/ Who/ what is Orci?
/6/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects a. diminutives (x2)
b. tricolon crescendo
c. onomatopoeia

27. Catullus 45 /1/ Discuss how this poem is symmetrical
/2/ Discuss how Septimius and Acme display their love appropriate to their genders.
/3/ Describe the superstition about Cupid and his sneezing.
/4/ What is significant about the reference to Syria and Britain in this poem?
/5/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects a. diminutives (x3)
b. chiasmus x2
c. asyndeton

28. Propertius 3.23
/1/ Doctae tabellae could be seen as a transferred epithet. But, how does Propertius justify the claim that his tablets are indeed doctae? /2/ What makes the tablets valuable? /3/ Summarize the messages that the paramour might have possible written on them. /4/ Why, to the neoteric poet, would this avarus be so evil? How else is he described as evil? /5/ What is significant about the Esquiline Hill?

29. Propertius 3.23 – LITERARY DEVICES
/6/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects a. litotes (x2) b. synchysis

30. PROPERTIUS 2.12
/1/ Explain the contrast between levibus curis and magna bona. magna bona are all of the benefits and positives from a relationship, which can be lost through ‘trivial concerns’ – pettiness, jealousy, fighting, etc. These concerns are considered ‘trivial’ more by the traditional Roman, not the poet /2/ Summarize lines 7-8. What is the meaning behind these lines? Love is constantly shifting from good to bad (passion to conflict) and back again (alterna unda) and never stays consistently in one state /3/ To what does Gnosia refer? Why is it important that the quivers are from there? Gnosia refers to Crete, famous for archery /4/ Discuss how Amor is being described as destructive in this poem. Amor is described as waging war in the narrator’s blood (line 16) and inhabiting his dry marrows (line 17), physically harming him and bringing pain /5/ In the same way that a painter paints Amor as a boy with arrows, what is the narrator’s form of Amor? As a warrior, or other armed soldier, who is equipped with weapons used to harm him and cause him pain in love. Although he may appear as a boy, the narrator’s image of him is much more savage and destructive

31. PROPERTIUS 2.12- LITERARY DEVICES
chiasmus - line 12 (quisquam illo vulnere sanus)
b. synchysis – line 10 (pharetra umero Cnosia utroque)
c. hyperbole – line 16 (endless war)
d. polysyndeton - line 24 (face and fingers and dark eyes)

32. Propertius 1.1
/1/ Summarize Propertius’ experience with love found in lines 1-8. Cynthia was the first girl to make him fall in love, and Amor taught him to live heedlessly, hating all more proper/eligible young women who would have been more appropriate choices for a relationship /2/ Identify the allusion to Milanion and Atalanta. What happens in this myth and why does Propertius allude to it? The allusion is to Milanion saving Atalanta from being attacked by the centaur Hylaeus in the woods. It is alluded to in order to create a parallel between Milanion’s heroism and willingness to overcome any obstacle in order to win over Atalanta and Propertius’ similar attitude about Cynthia /3/ Who are the vos in line 19? What does he ask them to do? What is significant about the word palleat? The vos refer to those who practice magic, witches/sorcerers, whom he asks to change Cynthia’s mind. Growing pale (palleat) signifies being in love.

33. Propertius 1.1
/4/ What word is a reference to Medea? What are important facts to know about her and why does Propertius allude to her?
Cytinaeis (line 24) is a reference to Medea- the woman from Cytae. It’s important to know she is a witch, alluded to
/5/ Who are the vos in line 25? What does Propertius ask them to do?
It refers to his friends (amici, line 25) and he asks them to help him cure his sick heart and to bring him to a place where no woman can find him to escape all potential love completely
/6/ Summarize Propertius’ advice/ warning.
Propertius advises his friends to avoid the type of relationship he is involved in, and to stay in ‘safe’ relationships. Should they not heed his advice, he says that they will ‘recall his words with pain’ (line 38), regretting not having listened to him initially.

34. Propertius 1.1- LITERARY DEVICES
/7/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects
a. chiasmus x2 – line 1 (suis miserum me ocellis); line 7 (toto furor hic anno)
b. synchysis - line 30 (ulla meum femina iter); line 34 (nullo vacuus tempore Amor)

35. Catullus 5 & 7
/1/ 5: What is the mood of vivamus and amemus? Why are they in this mood? How does the form of the verb enhance the meaning of the line? Subjunctive mood; to encourage Lesbia to join him, wholeheartedly, in love. They convey a request, an entreaty to Lesbia, rather than an imperative command /2/ 5: After they have made all the kisses, what does Catullus tell Lesbia they should do? Why does he tell her to do this? What Roman superstition is evident in these lines? They should mix them up so no one will be able to count them. There was a superstition that having an exact number to associate with someone could be used by witches/sorcerers/evil-doers to make a more effective curse against them. /3/ 7: Identify the background contexts of: a. Cyrenis - Cyrene, a city in Libya b. lasarpicium - silphium-bearing. Silphium is a medicinal plant c. Batti - Battis, founder of Cyrene. Also an allusion to Callimachus

36. Catullus 5 & 7- LITERARY DEVICES
/4/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects
a. 5: metaphor - line 5 (once our brief light sets  death)
b. 5: anaphora- dein, deinde (lines 7-9) c. 5: juxtaposition x2 - line 3 (omnes unius); line 4 (occidere redire)
d. 7: hyperbole – line 3, 7 (as great a number of kisses as grains of sand and stars)
e. 7: metaphor - SKIP

37. Catullus 8
/1/ How does Catullus justify his claim that the once suns shone bright for him? When he was able to follow her (line 4) and there was playfulness and fun within their relationship (line 6) /2/ What does Catullus order himself to do in lines 9-13? He orders himself to stop chasing after someone who flees from him and to be resolute in his effort to do so, rather than continuing to pine after her /3/ The tone shifts at line 14. What marks this tonal shift? What is the tone now? The addressee shifts from himself to Lesbia, asking questions about what her life will be like now without him, insinuating that she will be miserable without his love and adoration /4/ Summarize what Catullus says directly to Lesbia. Catullus implies that no one else will want to be with Lesbia, or love her and show her affection in the way that he has. He harps on the physical (kissing, being viewed as beautiful)

38. Catullus 8- LITERARY DEVICES
/5/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects
a. rhetorical question(s) – lines 15-18
b. polyptoton - lines (quis, cui, quem, cuius, quem, cui)
c. litotes - line 9 (non vult)

39. Propertius 2.17
/1/ How do the first two lines foreshadow the rest of the poem? In what way does the narrator play role of the double meaning in vates, one of poet and one of prophet? He is a poet in the sense that he is composing, presently, this poem about his pain and a prophet in the sense that he is foreshadowing his own and Cynthia’s future (lines 17-18) /2/ Who are Tantalus and Sisyphus? How does the allusion to them enhance the meaning of the poem? Tantalus and Sisyphus are mortals who were condemned to suffer eternal punishments in the Underworld. Allusions to them call attention to the narrator’s feelings of pain in love being an endless torment from which he will never be able to escape /3/ Summarize lines 8-9. Love, like the punishment suffered by Sisyphus, is a torment that is the most difficult of all to endure. No other living being suffers to such an extent- only the dead /4/ What is the narrator unable to do because of the current state of his relationship? He is not able to sleep in the road or whisper to her through doors, as in he is unable to be near her at all or see her

40. Propertius 2.17 - LITERARY DEVICES
/5/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects
a. chiasmus (x2) – line 14 (nostras trita venena manus); line 8 (difficile toto monte onus)
b. anaphora - lines 5 & 7- (vel, vel)
c. hyperbole - line 9 (nothing in the world lives more harshly than a lover)

41. Catullus 72 & 85
/1/ 72: Discuss the role of the gods in this poem. Lesbia once preferred Catullus to Jupiter (line 2), emphasizing how strong her love was for him that she would choose him over the most powerful male figure in the universe /2/ 72: Describe the love Catullus says he has had for Lesbia. Which love does he not have? He has a love for L that is protective, nurturing, pure, unconditional, like a father for his children, NOT a love that is lustful, temporary, and superficial, like the love people have for a prostitute /3/ 72: Summarize how Catullus describes his love in the past versus the present. In the past, C’s love was like a father for his children, but now, even though he desires her more because he cannot have her, he thinks less of her as a person because he does not respect her character /4/ : Discuss how these poems exemplify the theme of conflicted love. C ’burns passionately’ (impensius uror) for L, but simultaneously does not wish well for her (bene velle minus) and considers her to be cheaper and more worthless (es vilior et levior) /5/ 85: How do the elisions present in this poem amplify its meaning?

42. Catullus 86 & 92
Review Questions: /1/ 86: Summarize Catullus’ argument for the superiority of Lesbia over Quintia. What does mica salis mean and what is its significance? Grain of salt  signifies wit. Unlike Lesbia, Quintia does not possess even the tiniest amount of wit /2/ 86: Explain the allusion to Venus. Venus represents love, sexuality, affection, seduction /3/ 92: What proof does Catullus have that Lesbia loves him? She never stops talking about him (nec tacet umquam de me) /4/ 92: Identify the ways this poem exemplifies the theme of conflicted love in Roman love poetry. Both Lesbia and Catullus cannot stop talking about each other, both good things and bad. They both hate one another, but cannot live without loving the other (verum dispeream nisi amo)

43. Catullus 86 & 92- LITERARY DEVICES
/5/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects a. 86: asyndeton lines 1-2 (candida, longa, recta) b. 86: juxtaposition x2 line 6 (omnibus una); line 4 (magno corpore mica salis) c. 86: chiasmus line 4 (nulla magno corpore mica)

44. Propertius 2.19
/1/ Why is Propertius so happy Cynthia is in the countryside? Identify all the ways the emphasis is on nature. Although he is unhappy that she is leaving, he is happy that she will be alone in the countryside without opportunities to be unfaithful to him. Mentions of nature (chaste fields, mountains, temples, oxen, etc.) serve to create a picture of the purity of the setting /2/ What will Propertius do while Cynthia is in the countryside? He will go hunting for wild animals (but only hares and birds), return horns to a pine tree, command hunting dogs (lines 17-22) /3/ Analyze the references to the goddesses Diana and Venus. Diana = hunting; Venus = love. P alleges he will make sacrifices to Diana, going hunting, and ‘put aside vows’ to Venus, not bothering to be concerned with love or his relationship, but he isn’t being honest about his real reasons for heading to the woods /4/ What is Clitumnus? A river (really a reservoir) 90 miles north of Rome /5/ Analyze the shift in tone starting at line 27 until the end. Optimistic  wary, suspicious, obsessive

45. reddere cornua pinū (lines 19-20)

46. Propertius 2.19- LITERARY DEVICES
/6/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects a. transferred epithet - line 7 (solos montis) b. personification - line 12 (vitem docta ponere falce comas) c. Polypototon –line 7 (sola, solos) d. Synchysis – line 10 (fana peccatis causa tuis), line 16 (omnia externo tuta viro) e. juxtaposition -

47. Catullus 107 & 109
/1/ 107: Identify the words that are repeated through out the poem. To whom do they refer? What effect does this repetition have? /2/ 107: What is the Roman custom being referred to in o lucem candidiore nota! /3/ 109: Define foedus and amicitiae. What kind of relationship is Catullus looking for? To what is he comparing his desired relationship? /4/ 109: What is the role of the gods in this poem?

48. Catullus 107 & 109- LITERARY DEVICES
/5/ Define and identify the following Literary Devices, cite Latin and line numbers, and consider their effects
a. 107: Chiasmus – line 7 (quis me uno felicior)
b. 107: Rhetorical question – lines 7 & 8 c. 107: Juxtaposition d. 109: Pleonasm (use of more words than necessary to convey meaning) -
e. 109: Synchysis - line