Ancient and Modern: Catullus li Again
| Autor: | L. P. Wilkinson |
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| Rok vydání: | 1974 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Greece and Rome. 21:82-85 |
| ISSN: | 1477-4550 0017-3835 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/s0017383500021744 |
| Popis: | Itsometimes happens that the plausibility of an interpretation of a passage in the Classics depends on our estimate of what is likely in human terms in any age. It may be worth while in such cases to adduce modern parallels. Here is an example.Munro suggested long ago that, from its passionate tone, Catullus li (‘Ille mi par esse deo …’) should be taken as one of his first poems to Clodia, and that this (besides metrical equivalence) would account for his choosing the name of Lesbia as a pseudonym, the poem being a free translation of one addressed by Sappho to a Lesbian girl. Macnaghten and Ramsay develop this idea significantly in their introduction to the poem: ‘Probably the earliest poem to Lesbia, written perhaps in 62B.c.It is a translation of Sappho's song to a Lesbian girl, chosen by Catullus, not because lover's language is in all ages the same, but as the safest way of revealing to Clodia the secret of his love. If she cared for him, she could hardly mistake his meaning; if not, it was only a translation after all.’ |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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