Month: December 2012

A rich analysis of something perhaps deeper than you first saw: A Literary Chill. (And for your reference, you might like to read up on what a purpureus pannus is.)

Prepare thoroughly. As we are increasing our pace, it would be great to have the goal of reading all of #35 in class together on Wednesday. (Is that ambitious? Yeah, probably.)

Write down answers to these guiding questions, and then reflect on them for a moment to see if they can help you piece together this poem. (Note that not all bullet points are questions — some are there to help guide you.)

1. Catullus again begins his poem with an address to something in the vocative case. What is it?
2. “Velim” is the first person, singular, present, active, subjunctive form of volo, velle. What does Catullus wish the subject (in the vocative!) would do?
3. Can you understand the footnote of “Veronam?” Ronnie says, “Expression of motion towards.” …I say just  imagine an “ad” before the Veronam. No question to answer here — just thought I’d help.
4. “Novi… litus” is a participial phrase. Which two accusative nouns in this phrase is the subject “abandoning?”
5. With what is “quasdam” agreeing? What case is it?
6. “Viam vorabit” is a cool idiomatic phrase. What do these two words literally mean? What are they actually talking about?
7. “Euntem” is from the irregular verb eo, ire, ivi, itus. What form is “euntem?” What does this verb mean? (Use the glossary in the back of the book if needed.) Can you formulate a guess about to whom it is referring?
8. Check the footnotes on “milies” and “ambas” lest you get confused here.
9. Translate the phrase “si mihi vera nuntiantur.”
10. “Deperit” has many potential translations. Use the last one — “to be desperately in love with.” Given that advice, which translation of “impotente” might be most appropriate?
11. “Incohatam dominam Dindymi” is referring to a poem that Caecilius recently started to write. Read the footnote to get some context.
12. “Quo tempore” and “ex eo” are both referring to time: “From the time when…” and “from that time.”
13. “Sapphica” and “musa” both have long a’s: they are ablative. In this appositive phrase about the “puella,” what is the grammatical reason that could explain why the “Sapphia musa” in in the ablative?
14. The “Magna Mater” of the final line is referring back to the same poem that I pointed out in bullet point #11.

We will try things differently in the second trimester. My hope is to give each of you an opportunity to embrace struggle, face down challenge, and accomplish success.

Here’s something to think about.

Remember: it’s about what you do, not who you are.