NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #30/NN_1992_30.iso/spool/sci/classics/1167

Text File | 1992-12-18 | 1.7 KB | 31 lines

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Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!news.cso.uiuc.edu!usenet
From: Stephen Trzaskoma
Subject: Catullus & his sparrow
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Organization: University of Illinois U-C Dept. of the Classics
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 21:01:44 GMT
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While I'm of the opinion that the sparrow poems make no allusion to Lesbia's
masturbatory feats, I have no problem with the idea that they are intended to
bring to mind erotic images (specifically perhaps the male member).  The
opinion that such is overreading is merely an example of underestimating one of
the most brilliantly subtle poets who ever wrote.  The connections in antiquity
with sparrows and Aphrodite are common enough (cf. Sappho 1 where they pull
Aphrodite's chariot--not boring old doves; also see Cat. 51 for more Sappho in
Catullus) and there are several  passages in Hellenistic (and perhaps other
Roman???) poetry where the reading of sparrow=penis would make a whole lot of
sense.  For too long people have been trying to come up with interesting things
to say about Catullus 2&3:  e.g. that passer doesn't mean sparrow but some
other more glamorous bird, etc.  But to deny that the word passer has an erotic
context is Victorian prudery.  Incidentally, I'm not so sure that Catullus'
more obvious references to sex are designed to shock anybody.  To be shocked
by, for example, Catullus 16 "pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo" is to experience
something that I think was unintended.  The intended response was either
laughter (if you aren't Aurelius or Furius or one of their friends) or anger
(if you were).

Stephen Trzaskoma