Analysis of Catullus' Poem 39

The choice of words in Catullus’ 93 satirical poem show the gross reason for Egnatius’ white teeth. The irritating sounds of the words, “usquequaque,”  “defricare,” and “russam,” suggest the harshness of the grotesque practice for teeth whitening in the ancient Roman world. Catullus does not replace these words with less acidic words, such as, ubique, lavare, or ruber. Also, Catullus uses the more onomatopoeic “bibisse” instead of potavisse, which suggests the large amount of urine that Egnatius needed to drink so that he could have outstandingly white teeth, “candidos…dentes.” Catullus’ use of these caustic words enhances his poem mocking Egnatius.