Horace and Catullus

Introduction

Before comparing the shared themes by Horace and Catullus, the relationship between them is crucial. Although Catullus has influenced many other poets in Greek lyric, Horace has shown distinct connection to Catullus among others. Despite ‘Catullus’ mentioned only once in Horace’s poem, still, it is reasonable that Horace knew the work of Catullus in depth and valued Catullus’s work. In addition, many themes are shared commonly in both poems such as love, hate, war, politics, invectiveness, societal, and etc. While these themes are widely used by both poets, they way they approach to the topic is different to a certain extent. Tone, which is the most prominent factor that differentiates the two Greek lyric poetries.

Analysis

It is true that Catullus’s poems are much more direct and clever in point making to his opinion yet Horace often use irony, double meaning, and figurative languages throughout his poem. In Catullus 16, one of the filthiest expressions ever written in Greek lyric poems, he expresses his explosion of anger towards Furious and Aurelius.  Although Copley, Whigman, and Green had translated the original poem in their style, the tone from Catullus is remarkable. “Pedicabo ego uos et irrumabo,” which is all translated differently by the three authors, clearly depicts Catullus’s ferocious manner towards the two men. Interestingly, the most outdated one, Green’s translation, has worded clearly that audience can understand at first glance. While Whigman did not even translate it, Copley seemed to use too much figurative language to express Catullus’s original line. However, Catullus is not only greedy but also witty at the same time in deducting the two ridiculous men. Although double positioning and meaning takes place in his poem, his tone is distinctly evident by the usage of diction such as “faggot,” “Squeaky-clean,” “bloody squiblets,” “hirsute clods.”

Moreover, Poem VIII, is one of the most outrageous theme in Horace’s poem. In fact, compared to other poems by him, the invective is depicted strongest with outlandish language, diction, and tone. While many authors refused to translate Catallus 16, Horace’s poem has been translated directly. In addition, when he uses destructive language, it is not just used to degrade someone but characterizes how Horace is a witty man. This clearly portrays the interconnection between Catallus and Horace. Also, hence the poem is for prostitute, his use of diction is even more sarcastic than Catallus when he degrades them. “May you be blessed with wealth,” Horace is a person of anxiety of wealth because he is son of a freeman who wants slave all the time; therefore, he is able to create such satirical lines.