Member-only story

Catullus and the Poetics of Roman Manhood

Colin Foster

·15.7k Followers· Follow

Published in David Wray

4 min read

654 View Claps

39 Respond

Save

Listen

Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84 – c. 54 BC) was a Roman poet from Verona, in Gallia Cisalpina (modern northern Italy). He is best known for his collection of poems, the Catulli Carmina, which includes some of the most famous and influential love poems in Western literature.

Catullus's poems are often characterized by their passion, wit, and honesty. He writes about love, loss, and friendship in a way that is both personal and universal. His work has been admired and imitated by poets for centuries, and he is considered one of the greatest Roman poets.

Catullus and the Poetics of Roman Manhood

by David Wray

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2729 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	260 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

One of the most striking things about Catullus's poetry is his exploration of Roman masculinity. In a society where men were expected to be strong, stoic, and virile, Catullus's poems often express a more complex and nuanced view of manhood.

In his poem "To Lesbia," for example, Catullus writes about his love for a woman named Lesbia. He describes her as "my light, my Lesbia, my sparrow," and he declares that he loves her "more than words can say." This poem is a far cry from the traditional Roman view of love as something that was to be conquered and controlled.

In another poem, "To Gellius," Catullus writes about his friendship with a man named Gellius. He describes Gellius as "my dearest friend, my brother," and he praises him for his loyalty and support. This poem shows that Catullus valued friendship as much as love, and that he saw it as an important part of a man's life.

Catullus's poems about manhood were controversial in their time, and they continue to be debated by scholars today. Some critics have argued that Catullus's poetry is effeminate and unmanly. Others have argued that Catullus's poetry is simply a reflection of the changing social and cultural values of his time.

Whatever the interpretation, there is no doubt that Catullus's poems about manhood have had a profound impact on Western literature. His work has helped to shape our understanding of what it means to be a man, and it continues to inspire and challenge readers today.

**Here are some additional points that could be explored in an article about Catullus and the poetics of Roman manhood:**

* Catullus's use of humor and satire to critique traditional Roman values * The influence of Greek poetry on Catullus's work * Catullus's legacy as a poet and his influence on later writers * The role of love and friendship in Catullus's poetry * The ways in which Catullus's poetry reflects the social and cultural changes of his time

A photograph of a bust of Catullus, a Roman poet who wrote about love, loss, and friendship. He is considered one of the greatest Roman poets and his work has been admired and imitated for centuries.