Catullus 51

Sappho’s poem gives the reader an impression of complete involvement, of being emersed in the moment, of feeling an almost unbearable, all-consuming passion – even more so than does the first half of Catullus’ poem, for after describing the effect that the sight of her loved one has on her tongue, ears, and eyes, she tells us about the violent reaction that the rest of her body undergoes, to such an extent that she feels close to death. Indeed, one editor has given Sappho 31 the apt title of “Seizure”.

Her love and desire are so vividly portrayed that the reader is jolted out of his everyday complacence and equanimity, and is suddenly afraid of the physical and emotional dangers involved in feeling such intense, passionate love. He cannot help but admire Sappho’s willingness to expose her most intimate thoughts, not to mention her willingness to risk her heart.

Another difference between the two poems is the gender of the speaker. A man in Catullus’ world may well have been expected to lay aside his pastimes, if falling in love may be considered one, to pursue more important occupations – hence his jarring note at the end of the poem, berating himself for his idleness. A woman, on the other hand, was expected only to keep house, which supposedly would have afforded her time to be dreamy and to live inside her head for much of the day, just as she is confined inside the house. 

-- Ginny