The Poetry of Gaius Valerius Catullus/43

Text & Translation
Meter - Hendecasyllabic

Connotations of The Text
This poem is in hendecasyllabic metre. It regards a girl who has been compared in beauty to Catullus's love, "Lesbia". As offensive as it sounds, it can be assumed that it was intended really as a compliment to Lesbia, rather than an insult to the girl adressed.

Line 2

 * nigris ocellis - dark eyes

Dark eyes were considered a sign of beauty in Roman times.


 * nec... nec... - nor... nor...

This poem uses liberal use of anaphora with phrases containing nec. This emphasises the negativity of the girl from Formia.

Line 5

 * Formia

Formia was a city not far from Rome. It could also be a subtle reference to the word "formosa" which means beauty.

Lines 6-7

 * provincia - country people

There is an air of snobbery here, sneering at country people who Catullus deems to be ignorant of what real beauty is.


 * ...bellam? ....comparatur?

Ending these two lines with forceful questions shows the reader the passion that Catullus feels and clearly indicates his view on such a thing.

Line 8

 * insapiens et infacetum - stupid and tasteless

The alliteration here emphasises his disgust at girls that people will label as 'beautiful' in the countryside.