Catullus 52 Translation
Introduction |
This brief poem by Catullus questions why Catullus does not want to die quickly. He repeats the first line in the fourth line. Between, he gives two reasons why he is considering death. Both reasons are political and involve people that Catullus does not respect.
In line two, Catullus writes about the curule chair, which is a chair that is meant for a high-ranking dignitary in Rome. The dignitaries who occupied this chair were usually magistrates. The curule chair might look like a stool with fancy, curved legs. For Nonius to sit in this chair is problematic to Catullus. Readers should know this because Catullus calls Nonius “Struma” which is an infection of the lymph nodes that shows up as ugly, swelling masses on the neck and face – like big, cysts.
Catullus does not think that Nonius is worthy of sitting in the chair of dignitary, as he is diseased mass to the poet.
In line three, Catullus shows ho Vatinius perjures himself by saying he is a consul. He might be an official consul, but he might not be very good at his job. Vatinius did serve under Caesar as a consul, but many believed that his election was influenced by extortion or by other consuls. During Vatinius’s time as a praetor he was accused of bribery. Catullus must know that Vatinius was a representation of the things that are wrong with government, especially when agents abuse their authority.
Catullus was a proud Roman. He also was a bit of an idealist who wanted politicians to do their jobs with decency. Catullus did not want to commit suicide because the government had some corruption, but his hyperbole in the poem does make readers notice the problem.
Carmen 52 |
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | QVID est, Catulle? quid moraris emori? | What is it, CatuIlus? why do you not make haste to die? |
| 2 | sella in curuli struma Nonius sedet, | Nonius Struma sits in a curule chair; |
| 3 | per consulatum peierat Vatinius: | Vatinius forswears himself by his consulship. |
| 4 | quid est, Catulle? quid moraris emori? | What is it, Catullus? why do you not make haste to die? |
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Resources |
VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/052.html
