Catullus and Furius

In class we talked about Catullus’ biting wit, and how his poems were not intended for public consumption, but rather for circulation among his close friends and peers. Thus, his poems contain literary allusions and his biting humor that can only exist among friends. If it weren’t for poem 11, Furius is one such friend, whom one would think was a .. of Catullus, based on poems 26 and 23. However, Furius and Catullus do appear to be friends, if not at the least peers.

            Poem 23 contains a witty … of Furius and his family. The poem conveys that Furius is continually asking for money from Catullus, perhaps because he is a spendthrift, or because Catullus owes him money. Instead of paying him though, Catullus tries to convince him that he is fine and doesn’t need the money. The way in which he argues that Furius does not need the money though, reveals that he understands how poor Furius is. He talks about his family being thin, not sweating, and not passing bowl movements above 10 times a year. Catullus tries to pass these traits off as good things, but he, Furius and a reader know that they are signs of true poverty. The poem might at first convey that Catullus has no care for Furius, but upon closer examination, and in conjunction with other poems, it can be argued that he and Furius are friends. Catullus not loaning him money, or not paying back his loan, shows his disrespect for Furius, but his playful tone in the poem conveys a sort of teasing wink that occurs among friends. Catullus, in actuality, understands Furius’ poverty, but he makes light of it.

            Catullus’ teasing tone is in poem 26 as well. Catullus is making fun of Furius’ poverty concerning his house. He says that it is not natural elements like the wind that will knock the house down, but rather the debt of the family. He decries the wind and not the poverty of the family. Again, Catullus is teasing Furius. He does not sympathize with him about his poverty, but rather exploits it as a joke. Catullus is known for his biting wit, and this treatment of Furius’ misfortune is not out of the ordinary, but I believe that his teasing is the jest of a friend.

            Catullus’ poem 11 shows his friendship with Furius, because he confides in him. He is asking them (Furius and Aurelius) to tell Lesbia that he does not love her anymore and that he is not waiting around for her. He explains all the exotic places he could go, but he also explains how hurt he is. Catullus is vulnerable with them, when he describes himself as a trampled flower on the edge of the field. Furius is addressed in the poem, because Catullus is relying on him as a friend. This shows the depth of their connection. Catullus goes to Furius in confidence. This poem underscores their friendship and proves that Catullus’ biting remarks in other poems are merely jokes among friends.

Poems from:

Catullus. “The Three Books of Catullus”. trans. Ulysses K. Vestal. Theatrum Pompei Project. Ulysses K. Vestal, Nov. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.