The relationship between Catullus and Sappho, as explored by Ellen Greene in her article “Catullus and Sappho,” is a nuanced interplay of poetic homage, gender exploration, and societal critique. Through a close examination of Catullus’ poems, particularly 5, 7, 11, and 51, Greene delves into the complexities of how Catullus intertwines Sappho’s legacy with his creative endeavors. Elle Ellen Greene’s examination in “Catullus and Sappho” initiates with a detailed exploration of Catullus’ poems 5 and 7, where the poet passionately declares his affection for Lesbia (Greene 129). The mere mention of Lesbia invokes immediate connections to the revered Sappho. Within these poems, Catullus openly celebrates his ardor for Lesbia, drawing explicit parallels between his emotional hunger and the ideals of desire, imagination, and beauty associated with Sappho. Through ecstatic repetitions in poem five and hyperbolic comparisons in poem 7, Catullus intertwines his love for Lesbia with the fundamental essence of Sappho’s poetic themes (Greene 129). This deliberate defiance of traditional limitations and the assertion of the transcendent power of poetic imagination over ordinary realities vividly exemplify Catullus’ paying homage to Sappho’s fundamental ethos.
Ellen Greene’s exploration of Catullus’ poetry highlights a profound association between the Roman poet and the legacy of Sappho. In particular, through Catullus’ poems 5 and 7, he boldly mirrors and echoes the ideals and themes inherent in Sappho’s work. These verses showcase Catullus’ heartfelt celebration of his affection for Lesbia, resonating with the essence of desire, imagination, and beauty that define Sappho’s poetry (Greene 144). The utilization of ecstatic repetitions and hyperbolic comparisons in these poems not only depict Catullus’s fervent emotions but also symbolize his intentional homage to the revered themes characteristic of Sappho’s artistic expression. These works are a testament to Catullus’ deliberate acknowledgment and respect for Sappho’s profound influence on his poetic journey.
Additionally, Greene’s analysis delves into Catullus’ poems 51 and 11, revealing the intricate complexities arising from differing societal contexts between Catullus and Sappho. Poem 51 illustrates Catullus’ attempt to adapt Sappho’s fragment 31. Here, Catullus endeavors to immerse himself in Sappho’s poetic realm while transforming the original homoerotic context into one centered on heterosexual desire by replacing Sappho’s female love interest with Lesbia (Greene 138). This adaptation emphasizes a conflict between intense passion and Catullus’ obligations within Roman masculinity, thus diverging from the immediate bodily fragmentation and intensity of eroticism in Sappho’s poetry. Moreover, poem 11 further emphasizes this intricate relationship, where Catullus juxtaposes masculine conquest with imagery portraying his beloved as a fragile flower crushed by a plow. This symbolism drawn from Sappho highlights Catullus’s inner conflict in reconciling societal expectations with his appreciation for femininity, as depicted by Sappho. These contrasting portrayals accentuate Catullus’s tensions, attempting to align with traditional Roman masculinity while identifying with Sappho’s marginalized feminine ideals.
Greene’s analysis illuminates the disparities and complex negotiations between Catullus and Sappho, showcasing Catullus’s deliberate homage to Sappho’s themes while navigating the societal expectations and differing contexts of their respective eras.
Turning to poem 11, Catullus juxtaposes masculine conquest with imagery portraying his beloved as a delicate flower crushed by a plow, a motif reminiscent of Sappho’s symbolism representing female vulnerability and sexuality (Greene 129). This juxtaposition encapsulates Catullus’ ambiguity as he navigates his association with traditional Roman masculinity while simultaneously identifying with the marginalized feminine ideals depicted by Sappho. The conflicting imagery in this poem accentuates the inner conflict Catullus grapples with in reconciling the societal expectations of his time with his appreciation for the vulnerability and femininity portrayed in Sappho’s works. The tension between societal norms and personal inclinations, particularly regarding gender representation, surfaces prominently within Catullus’s poetic expressions, revealing the complexities of his engagement with Sappho’s legacy in a different societal setting.
Ellen Greene’s analysis presents Catullus’s complex relationship with Sappho’s legacy, revealing the multifaceted dynamics inherent in his poetic homage and societal engagement. In homage to Sappho, Catullus utilizes Lesbia, intertwining gender role reversals and a critique of prevailing Roman values within his poetic expressions. Through this interplay, Catullus pays tribute to Sappho’s ethos while navigating his anxieties about the translation of Sappho’s homoerotic feminine discourse into his heterosexual male poetics (Greene 129). Greene’s assessment uncovers Catullus’s ambivalence. On one hand, he embraces Sappho’s legacy by engaging in gender role reversals, attempting to critique the dominant societal norms. On the other, the figure of Lesbia encapsulates Catullus’s inner conflict—a manifestation of his uncertainties about adapting Sappho’s themes to fit into the framework of his masculine expressions. Catullus’s poetry serves as a canvas revealing the struggles in reconciling the passion and imagination inspired by Sappho with the rigid societal constructs of masculinity and duty prevalent in Roman society.
Greene’s analysis unravels the intricate interweaving of Catullus’s poetic tributes to Sappho with his internal conflicts regarding societal gender norms entrenched in Roman culture. Catullus, through his adaptation of Sappho’s thematic essence and portrayal of Lesbia, navigates the complexities of passion, societal expectations, and gender roles (Greene 140). His poetry serves as a reflective surface, capturing the multifaceted challenges inherent in reconciling personal desires with the stringent societal standards of his era. The juxtaposition of Sappho’s themes against the backdrop of Roman masculinity showcases Catullus’s struggle to harmonize his inclinations with the societal framework. This offers profound insights into the intricate layers of Catullus’s poetic expression, elucidating the tensions and negotiations he experiences while attempting to blend personal passions with the societal norms of his time.
Works Cited
Greene, Ellen. “Catullus and Sappho.” A Companion to Catullus, 2007, pp. 129-150.
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