A Common Theme In Catullus Poems
A common theme within Catullus’ poems in the subject of Lesbia. While most of these are love poems, the first mention of Lesbia in Catullus’ poems is not of Lesbia herself. Instead, the poem focuses upon her sparrow. The reason that Catullus chooses the theme of his first few poems to be about Lesbia’s sparrow is because he does not want to focus on Lesbia herself. Instead, he wishes to focus upon the narrator’s relationship with Lesbia. The first mention of Lesbia is within Catullus’ second poem. The poem focuses upon Lesbia’s affection for her sparrow. However, the narrator speaks of the affection that she offers the creature in a negative light. The sparrow is “greedy” when it comes to how much love it takes. As a result, the narrator is
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As can be seen by his other poems, he could have started with out with a poem that is more romantic in nature. Instead of doing so, two of the few poems that he starts out with are centered less upon love and more on jealousy and obsession. This id done so that the reader can get an idea of the narrator’s true feelings. Whereas other poems praise Lesbia and speak of her well, the second and third poem indirectly address the narrator’s feelings towards Lesbia by focusing on something that is already in possession of her affection. Moreover, there is a certain level of ridiculousness to the entire theme. The narrator is describing a sparrow as a villain. Such a theme would be akin to someone being jealous of their desired person’s pet. However, that is exactly what the narrator is like. Lesbia has focused her affection upon a sparrow instead of the narrator, as is implied by the two poems. The feelings that this bring forth are so passionate that even when the sparrow dies the narrator has changed his tune from disliking the bird because of his position to blaming it for Lesbia’s sorrow. Despite how ridiculous the narrator’s actions may seem to be, there is a purpose behind this. Catullus wishes the reader to see that the narrator does not love Lesbia. Instead, he is overcome with an infatuation that is so deep that he has come to obsess about her. Anyone and anything that receives her affection outside of him is an
As can be seen by his other poems, he could have started with out with a poem that is more romantic in nature. Instead of doing so, two of the few poems that he starts out with are centered less upon love and more on jealousy and obsession. This id done so that the reader can get an idea of the narrator’s true feelings. Whereas other poems praise Lesbia and speak of her well, the second and third poem indirectly address the narrator’s feelings towards Lesbia by focusing on something that is already in possession of her affection. Moreover, there is a certain level of ridiculousness to the entire theme. The narrator is describing a sparrow as a villain. Such a theme would be akin to someone being jealous of their desired person’s pet. However, that is exactly what the narrator is like. Lesbia has focused her affection upon a sparrow instead of the narrator, as is implied by the two poems. The feelings that this bring forth are so passionate that even when the sparrow dies the narrator has changed his tune from disliking the bird because of his position to blaming it for Lesbia’s sorrow. Despite how ridiculous the narrator’s actions may seem to be, there is a purpose behind this. Catullus wishes the reader to see that the narrator does not love Lesbia. Instead, he is overcome with an infatuation that is so deep that he has come to obsess about her. Anyone and anything that receives her affection outside of him is an