Blog Post #6: Catullus and Lesbia

Blog Post #6:

Lesbia’s and Catullus’ relationship is described by juxtaposed love and disdain. Although all the poems read so far are from Catullus’ perspective, there is a high degree of instability within their relationship.  In the 5^th poem, Catullus pleads “let’s live, Lesbia mine, and love – and as for scandal, all the gossip, old men’s strictures, value the lot at not more than a farthing”. In this very initial depiction of their relationship, Catullus fears that these rumors, perhaps here relating to infidelity, will come out. Similarly, in poem 58a, Lesbia is depicted as “now on backstreet corners and down alleys [jacking] off Remus’s generous descendants”. Lesbia is also equally as guilty for her forms of infidelity within this relationship. Both members of this relationship appear quite unstable, moving between passion and indiscretion throughout. There appear points where Catullus begs Lesbia to “give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then a thousand more, a second hundred …” The relationship does not follow logic or organized flow, but instead is one where emotional turmoil seems to lead. Many of Catullus’ poems also describe his lust for Lesbia. In poem 7, he describes how only several thousand kisses “would satisfy your mad Catullus”. This relationship is fueled emotions and a desire for sex or “kisses”. Although often highly passionate, with words describing a fierce love , the relationship is prone to extreme highs and lows. In poem 58a, Lesbia is describes as “that one, that Lesbia whom alone Catullus worshipped more than himself, far more than all his kinsfolk”. Catullus now no longer lusts for Lesbia as he did previously. The relationship is constantly in flux, moving between lustful passion and contempt or disdain. The fluctuations are a response to the emotional, sex-crazed behavior here attributed to Catullus. Although Lesbia’s perspective is not directly stated, her indiscretions also portray a high degree of instability which adds to the volatile nature of their relationship.