Catullus Poem 50 - Analysis

Yesterday¹, Licinius, being at leisure,

We played a lot on my tablets,

As it had suited us to be frivolous;

◇✪1: hesterno … die: a very grand alternative from the usual heri. Catullus liked to use long, compound words; also, the phrase having been presented in an enclosing order around Licinius is indicative of the fact that Catullus spent the whole day with him.

Yesterday, Licinius², being at leisure,

We played a lot on my tablets,

As it had suited us to be frivolous;

◇✪2: Licini: apostrophe – Catullus is addressing the individual directly, but in the second person. Catullus is using the family name, rather than Calvus. His full name was C. Licinius Calvus Macer. Macer means “thin”. The fourth name was often added, sometimes as an honour, but in this case no doubt to draw attention to his peculiar characteristic of being thin.

Yesterday, Licinius, being at leisure,

We played a lot³ on my tablets,

As it had suited us to be frivolous;

◇3: multum: emphatic positioning at the start of the line.

Yesterday, Licinius, being at leisure,

We played a lot on my tablets⁴,

As it had suited us to be frivolous;

◇4: tabellis: a diminutive form of tabula, a wax tablet; so tabelli are inexpensive tablets, compared with the more formal tablets on which serious pieces would be written for possible publication.

Each of us writing trivial verses⁵

Played now in this metre, now in that,

◇5: versiculos … numero: another example how Catullus is using a diminutive term, in this case to show that they were not writing serious poetry.

Exchanging⁶ compositions between us amid jokes and wine.

◇6: mutua: this description emphasises the nature of their friendship; they are exchanging lines, neither being dominant over the other.

And then, I went away from there inflamed⁷

By your charm and witticisms, Licinius,

◇7: incensus: a metaphor to show how much he is affected by Licinius’ charm.

So that neither did [any] food help me in my wretchedness⁸,

Nor did sleep cover my dear eyes with rest …

◇8: me miserum: m alliteration emphasises his wretchedness.

But, uncontrollable because of my frenzy, I tossed about

Over the whole bed⁹, desiring to see the daylight,

So that I could talk to you and be together with you.

◇9: toto … lecto: enclosing order – the whole bed wraps itself round him as he tosses about, unable to sleep.

But, uncontrollable because of my frenzy, I tossed about¹⁰

Over the whole bed, desiring to see¹⁰ the daylight,

So that I could talk¹⁰ to you and be together with you.

◇10: versarer … videre … loquerer: the sound er occurs five time, in order to recreate the sound of Catullus groaning, unable to sleep.

But¹¹, when my limbs, tired by suffering

◇11: at: the particle normally denotes a change of person. But here, it denotes a change of activity from sleepless tossing about to the calm composition of a poem.

But, when my limbs, tired¹² by suffering

Were lying half-dead¹² on my little bed,

◇12: defessa … membra … semimortua: a double enclosing order, the tiredness induced by a lack of sleep taking over his limbs, making him feel half-dead.

I composed this poem¹³ for you, dear fellow,

◇13: hoc … poema: enclosing order, composed solely for Calvus.

From which you might perceive¹⁴ my pain.

◇14: perspiceres: the assonance of er reappears here, and the prefix per- shows that Catullus want Calvus to see clearly the pain he feels.

Lest Nemesis¹⁵ demands a punishment from you.

✪15: The Greek goddess of vengeance.

Now beware¹⁶ of being rash, light of my life, we beg,

Beware¹⁶ of spurning our prayers,

Lest Nemesis demands a punishment from you.

She is a violent goddess. Beware¹⁶ of offending her.

✪16: cave … cave … caveto: the triple repetition is deliberate, as it was believed that repetition helped to make a prayer of curse more effective.