Latin 303
Catullus, 14b-60
1998.
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Minister uetuli puer Falerni
inger mi calices amariores
.............
1-7: oath of SeptimiusSome perceive that there is unevenness in the relationship of Septimius and Acme. Does the male, adventurous spirit of Septimius reveal a fickle nature? overbearing character (alliteration of p's)? Or does Acme want to possess Septimius heart and soul and this passion represents a more feminine aggression (softer alliteration of m's)? Acme and related words always surround the name of Septimius, but never vice versa. Does Catullus identify with Acme and her fear of desertion? Is this Catullus' recurrent nightmare? His psychological hangup?
8-9: 2 lines on Amor's reaction
10-16: oath of Acme
17-18: Same as 8-9
19-26: four 2 line segments giving the poet's
thoughts on the relationship
19-20 mutual love
21-22 antithetical statement of
Septimius' love
23-24 statement of Acme's love
25-26 antithetical question (?)
concerning the happiness of their love
Poems 52-60 are said by some critics to be random left over pieces which a later unknown editor attached to the libellum of Catullus.