Catullus
Blackwell Introductions to the Classical World
1. Edition March 2009
256 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Catullus is one of the liveliest and most appealing Roman poets.
His emotion, charm, and apparent spontaneity resonate with readers
as strongly today as in antiquity. This sophisticated literary and
historical introduction brings Catullus to life for the modern
reader and presents his poetry in all its variety of emotions,
subjects, and styles.
* Places Catullus in a social, historical, and literary
context
* Examines Catallus's style and subjects, and provides a literary
introduction to his major themes of love, social life, and
politics
* Discusses the reception of the poems by translators and
interpreters
Preface ix
1 Introduction: The Young Poet in Rome 1
2 Poetry Books 22
3 The Catullan Persona 45
4 What Makes It Poetry 72
5 Poetic Architecture 100
6 Songs for Mixed Voices: Allusions, Intertexts, and
Translations 133
7 Receiving Catullus 1: From Antiquity through the Sixteenth
Century 166
8 Receiving Catullus 2: England and America 194
Appendix 1 Catullus' Meters 222
Appendix 2 Glossary of Metrical and Rhetorical Terms 223
Bibliography 225
General Index 235
Index of Catullus' Poems 242
ancient Roman poetry and Renaissance Latin literature, has produced
an excellent comprehensive guide to the major Roman poet Catullus."
(CHOICE, December 2009)
"Such a simple and yet profound book could only have been written
by someone with the authority conferred by a detailed knowledge of
Catullus' work, its transmission and its reception over the ages.
... I consider [it] the best existing survey on Catullus."
(Bryn Mawr Classical Review, December 2009)
"An essential contribution to Catullan studies, this volume deftly
introduces readers to fundamental issues: formation of the
collection; the speaking voice; verbal and structural techniques;
intertextuality; reception both ancient and contemporary."
-Marilyn B. Skinner, University of Arizona
"Gaisser speaks with authority about every aspect of
Catullus' poetry. From now on, when my students, at whatever
level, ask for a single book introduction to Catullus, I will
recommend this one."
-Andrew Feldherr, Princeton
"A panoramic introduction that--like Catullus himself--is
learned, accessible and luminous, rich with insights on poetic
sound and architecture, intertextuality and literary reception.
Gaudete, Veneres Cupidinesque, and readers of Catullus new and
old."
-Judith P. Hallett, University of Maryland, College
Park
