Catullus and Horace

The theme of unrequited love is present in both Catullus 8 and Horace Epode XI. While both poets expressed their anguish and passiveness from the failing relationship, Catullus' poem is more emotional and Horace is more restrained. Both Catullus and Horace degrade themselves as fools, as they are deeply ashamed of being in a passive role in love. Catullus called himself "wretched", "stupid tomfool stuff", and Horace knows that he is the "laughing stock"thought the city. Furthermore, both poets use similar vivid expressions to show their being completely dominated by the lover. Catullus describes that he "scurried off" wherever Clodia led him. Horace writes, "I'd weep and wail to you the moment that the shameless god warmed me with the heat of wine and dragged out my secrets", as well as "you'd then tell me to go home and I'd drift to her doorposts". Phrases such as "scurry off", "weep and wail" and "drift to her doorposts" illustrate that they are uncontrollably  driven by the woman. Nevertheless, the two poets differ in their later reaction. CatUllus struggles to control his feeble feelings, and thus he addresses himself in second-person perspective, telling himself the right things to do: "Don't chase reluctance, don't embrace a sad-sack life--make up your mind, be stubborn, obdurate, hang tough!" His anguish further turns into bitterness, where he called Clodia a "wicked bitch, poor wretch", whom he imagines would never be truly loved again. The bitterness reflects his anguish from being hurt by the woman, and his failure to actually "hang tough". Horace, on the other hand, chooses to stand from a greater distance. Horace uses more descriptions from an outside point of view instead of using first or second perspectives like Catullus, which amplifies emotion. Lines such as "This was a sturdy course I chose when in your company" tells that Horace has made a mistake in choosing the woman, and yet it does not show strong emotions such as anguish, bitterness, and determination which Catullus shows. This could be due to that Horace moves on and finds a new love. The positive tone in the last stanza about new love contrasts with the sorrowful tone in the previous stanzas. Following the line "it broke my hips and ribs" is a sudden transition to "But now Lyciscus is my love". Horace then shows off his new relationship, which "no freely given advice of friends nor rough abuse can separate". "Another passion might, for some lovely girl, or a slender boy with long hair tied up behind in a knot". The last line shows Horace's ability to cut off from one love and move on to another quickly, which further contrasts with CatUllus' helpless indulgence in love even after it ends.