The Laodamia simile in Catullus 68 : reflections on love and loss
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University, Department of Ancient Studies
Abstract
In Catullus’ poem 68 he compares his beloved, generally identified as
Lesbia, to the mythological figure of Laodamia in a long simile covering
57 lines. Laodamia epitomises the ideal wife, both passionate and loyal
and so much in love with her new husband Protesilaus, that she cannot
bear to live without him. Therefore she appears to be the perfect
comparison for a beloved woman as seen through the eyes of her
infatuated lover. But at a closer reading of the poem the interpretation of
the simile turns out to be much more complex than that. Lesbia is not
loyal and she is not Catullus’ wife. He admits both these facts near the
end of the poem. Furthermore, Laodamia turns out to have two referents:
Lesbia and the poet himself. In this paper I will be looking at various
interpretations of the Laodamia simile as well as adding my own thoughts
on this complex and beautiful poem.
Description
CITATION: De Villiers, A. 2008. The Laodamia simile in Catullus 68 : reflections on love and loss. Akroterion, 53:57-65, doi:10.7445/53-0-40.
The original publication is available at http://akroterion.journals.ac.za
The original publication is available at http://akroterion.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Clodia, 94 B.C.-53 B.C -- Poetry, Catullus, Gaius Valerius -- Criticism and interpretation, Protesilaus (Greek mythology)
Citation
De Villiers, A. 2008. The Laodamia simile in Catullus 68 : reflections on love and loss. Akroterion, 53:57-65, doi:10.7445/53-0-40.