Sunday, November 29, 2009

Pyramus and Thisbe walls

In Ovid's poem Pyramus and Thisbe, there is a wall that separates two lovers. Literally, it is the one barrier that separates them. Metaphorically, it is used as a symbol displaying Ovid's use of symbolism. It symbolizes the one obstacle in the way of their marriage, their parents. The wall is also the thing that made them leave their houses and meet outside at the mulberry tree. ALthough it might be the reason for their separation, it is also the reason for their death. They could not take that they could not see each other so they went to meet outside and it eventually ended up leading to their death.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Pyramus and Thisbe

First, in line 68, Ovid uses a rhetorical question. "Quid non sentit amor?" This translates to, "what does love not perceive?" Although Ovid is asking a question, he is not really expecting an answer and he only uses it to get the reader thinking. Second, in lines 68 and 69, Ovid uses alliteration. "Primi vidistis amantes, et vocis fecistis." He is constantly using the sound of an "s" for affect. Last, in line 73, he uses personification while talking about the wall. "Invide,' dicebant, 'paries, quid amantibus obstas?" He is saying that the wall is jealous but that is not possible because it is a human feature.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Poem 75

This poem has the same theme that poem 72 which is that because of Lesbia cheating on him and of her unfaithfulness, he hates her. At the same time, he still cannot stop loving her no matter how hard he tries. He shows us once again that Lesbia has cheated on him and he once again comes back to her and still loves her. Catullus, the poet, tries to make us feel sorry for him because no matter what he does, he still loves Lesbia and she still cheats on him.
Poem 8

Catullus is lonely and sad
cheated on was this poor lad
bye he says to her
his past was all a blur
and now he is very glad.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Poem 72

Lots of emotions are put forth in this poem from Catullus. He is very disappointed in this poem and constantly refers back to it like a motif but he never specifically says that he is disappointed. In line 1, he uses the word dicebas, which means used to. He is referring to what Lesbia used to say and how it is disappointing how she has broken a promise. In line 2, he compares himself to a God.This is an exaggeration by Catullus, suggesting that Lesbia would choose him over a god. This emphasises the disappointment that he feels and the reader begins to understand Lesbia's real personality. In line 8, Catullus is angry at Lesbia for cheating on him but he is still in love with her.
poem 85

I hate you so much
and yet I also love you
Why is this so hard.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Poem 86

Just like in poem 43, Catullus compares Lesbia to another girl. He starts off by saying her different features, whether good or bad, and he talks about them for the first few lines. Then, he turns it around and tells the reader how much better Lesbia is. He also tells us that other people think how beautiful the other lady is but then he says how he thinks Lesbia is more beautiful. In poem 43 he says, " ten prouincia narrat esse bellam?" He shows us that even though the Province might think that the lady is pretty, compared to Lesbia, she is ugly. In poem 86 he goes on to say, " Quintia formosa est multis. mihi candida, longa." He says how others find Quintia to be attractive and very beautiful.